Irmgard “Irma” Williams

April 1, 1936 – February 13, 2026

Irmgard “Irma” Williams passed away peacefully February 13, 2026 at her home in Pioneer surrounded by her loving family and faithful dog Maggi. She was 89 years old.

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Irma often joked that she came from “where all the finer things come from,” making reference to the home of the Mercedes Benz. As a child, she loved to climb the wall to sit atop and watch them test drive the cars. Irma survived many adversities growing up in Germany during the war. She rarely spoke of these, preferring to focus on the life she built here.

Irma immigrated to Canada with a childhood friend in her early 20s. There, she obtained a nanny’s job during the day and went to school at night to learn English. She married while in Canada and had her first child, Peter. The family left Canada to move to Los Angeles to be closer to her husband’s family. That’s where she had her second child, Monika.

Eventually, Irma made her way to the Bay Area with her kids and started a life on her own. She was a manager at Ricky’s Hyatt House where she made some lifelong friends and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the celebrities that would pass through over the years.

In 1974, Irma remarried and the family moved to Pioneer to what would be her last move and a place she truly loved. Irma spent years in the restaurant business, managing the VillaAndrea, working at the Lone Tree Bar and other establishments. She worked at Amador Inn in Jackson where she again made many new friends of her customers. She ultimately retired from Amador Regional Transit in her early 70s.

In retirement, Irma loved gardening, creating her beautiful backyard “sanctuary.” She also loved to travel, shop and go out to eat. She looked forward to her weekly exercise classes, even up to just months before her passing. She would jump at any chance to go to Tahoe as gambling was high on her list of favorite activities. She also loved to spend time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends anytime she could, getting caught up on everyone’s stories, holding the babies, petting the dogs and imparting her words of wisdom. She will be greatly missed by all of them.

The family would like to extend a warm, heartfelt thank you to all of Irma’s friends and neighbors who have reached out at this time with love and support. It has been very comforting and we thank you.

There will be a celebration of life held March 7, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Plate 88 in Pioneer.