Irma Joan (Kratz) Hughes

Irma J. Hughes, née Irma Joan Kratz, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. Born Erma Ignatowski on Thursday, April 16, 1931, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, she was adopted at a young age by Roger and Esther Kratz. She grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Wilson High School in 1949. After Roger’s death, Irma and Esther grew tired of the cold back east and headed west, planning to end up in Arizona. They stopped along the way in Albuquerque, NM, and after falling in love with the city, they moved there in 1949. Irma soon worked at Valliant Printing as a proofreader, then attended York College in Nebraska in the early 1950s, where she was in the school’s touring choir. In 1952, Irma returned to Albuquerque and found her place at the University Heights United Methodist Church – then an Evangelical United Brethren church. Church was always a key pillar in Irma’s life; she sang in the choir, taught Bible School, helped with yard sales, and attended all the softball games in which the UHUM team played. In addition, she met her husband of 67 years, Charles E. Hughes (known as Chuck), at her church; they married on Saturday, January 10, 1953, and had three sons. Irma was very family oriented; she loved spending time with her children and granddaughter, from playing card games with them to cooking family dinners to share. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, reading, and listening to Big Band music.

Irma is survived by two sons, David (Cyndy) and Tom, as well as one granddaughter, Sage. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and son, Dan. A Celebration of Irma’s Life will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 10:00 am at University Heights United Methodist Church at 2210 Silver Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University Heights United Methodist Church (www.umcuniversityheights.com)