Irma Kainz

Irma (Irmi) Kainz (Hruschka), 73, died peacefully with her children by her side on December 26, 2016 in Melbourne, Florida after a brief struggle with cancer. Irmi was born March 6, 1943 in Vienna, Austria, the daughter of the late Friedrich Hrushcka and Eleonore (Elli) Hruschka (von Kropiwnicki), stepdaughter of the late Josefa Hinum (Hruschka). Irmi was predeceased by her loving husband, Gerald (Gerry) Rudolph Kainz, in 2013. Shortly after birth, Irmi moved with her family to the small town of Freistadt, Austria, where she spent her youth and school years. After completing grammar school in 1961, Irmi worked as an au pair with a family in Oxford, England and then in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. She then began her studies at the University of Vienna in September 1963, graduating on June 12, 1968 with her Masters in English Studies. After graduation, she worked in the office of the Viennese Fremdenverkehrsstelle (Tourist Information Services Office) as an Interpreter, attending concerts and dinners with foreign tourism representatives, through March 1970. Irmi met Gerry on the inaugural flight of the Austrian Airline to Tel Aviv in September 1969 and, shortly thereafter, immigrated to the United States, where they married on September 10, 1970. She spent the next 40 years working alongside Gerry in his capacity as Publisher/Editor/President of the “Washington Journal”, a weekly German-language newspaper that became Washington D.C.'s oldest newspaper (since 1859) after the Washington Star folded. Many knew Irmi to be the backbone of the paper. She tirelessly worked in her role as Co-Editor to curate content and ensure the paper was published each week, while also remaining active in the German community of Washington D.C. While working full time, Irmi was a hands on mother raising her three children and supporting them as they tried new things. She was a fixture at their various extracurricular activities, never missing soccer games and other sporting events, and at times traveling up and down the east coast to chaperone and attend those games. Irmi readily opened the Kainz home to her children’s friends, who spent countless hours at the residence. Irmi brought the family to Austria every several years to visit immediate and extended family in Freistadt and throughout the country, and she carried on and passed along her favorite Austrian games and foods such as Bauernschnapsen, Vanillekipferl, Linzertorte and Gulasch. She loved being active, and began walking, running and swimming daily in the mid-1980s, having been inspired by her children’s love of running. Upon retiring in 2000, Irmi and Gerry moved to Indialantic, Florida, where Irmi quickly found a new passion – bowling. She became immersed in several bowling leagues and developed close friends in the community. Throughout her retirement, she continued to thoroughly enjoy her daily walks and runs, both on the beach and in the Cloisters neighborhood where she lived. She embraced new technology and was a formidable “Words with Friends” competitor, playing multiple games daily. Irmi had a zest for life throughout, and will be remembered as a strong, independent, compassionate and vibrant woman with a passion for doing things on her own terms. Irmi is survived by her sister Ilse Mödlhammer (Ernst), and her loving children Robert Gerald Kainz (Andrea) of North Carolina, Thomas Michael Kainz (Tara) of Virginia, and Karen Kainz LoDico of New Jersey; and her grandchildren Olivia, Lauren, Kyle and Vincent, who adored her. There will be a private seaside memorial service for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in her name to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.