Irma Ann Hanft

Hammond

June 28, 1920 — June 19, 2016

Irma Ann Hanft was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on June 28, 1920, to Fred and Margaret Nabereit. She passed peacefully on June 19, 2016, at the age of 95. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Her family immigrated to the U.S. from Germany when she was only 3 years old, in 1924. After arriving in New York the young family traveled by train to Portland, Oregon, and then to their home in Nehalem, Oregon.

While attending Nehalem Grade School and high school, swimming was her favorite activity. After graduating from high school in 1938, she attended a business school in Portland. She worked as a typist for the U.S. Army Engineers during World War II.

She married Robert Anthony in July 1941 and their son, Stanley, was born in July 1943. They were divorced in 1945, and she moved back to Manzanita, Oregon.

She married her second husband, Marshall Hanft, in 1946. After living briefly in North Dakota, they moved back to Oregon. Irma worked as a clerical aide while her husband attended Willamette University in Salem. Later, their daughter. Gayla, was born in 1954.

Irma loved doing many activities with her family. They spent a lot of time camping, fishing and going to historic areas to take photos. She was instrumental in getting her husband’s book, “Fort Stevens: Oregon’s defender at the river of the West,” published.

Between 1961 and 1980, Irma worked for the state of Oregon in Salem. She worked her way up from a clerk typist to an administrative assistant. After retiring, she picked up the game of golf and traveled all over the world. She recorded her travels through her photography.

She moved to Hammond, Oregon, in 1986 to be near her new grandson, Joshua. Family was always so important to her, and helping them in any way she could. She was a strong positive presence in her children and grandchildren’s lives.

Irma is survived by her children, Gayla Hollaway and her husband, Joe, and Stanley Hanft and his wife, Nellie; her grandchildren, Joshua and Jordan Hollaway, Chuck, Mark and Brett Hanft and Sandra Phifer; a great-granddaughter, Ella Hanft; and a niece, Sandra Mason.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall; her younger sister, Marge Grant; and Marge’s daughter, Donna Meek.

The family would like to thank the following caregivers, who showed so much love and devotion to our mom during the last few years: Shelly Bighill, Donna Barnett and Tanja Sivley. Also, special thanks to the amazing hospice staff and volunteers. Donations can be made to Lower Columbia Hospice, 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103.

On Monday, June 27, a visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, Oregon. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. Please sign the online guest book at www.caldwellsmortuary.com

Irma will be laid to rest next to her husband, Marshall, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, June 28.