Columbia - Ilse Raedler Estridge passed away November 20, 2009. She was born August 15, 1927 in Regensburg, Germany, daughter of Maximilian and Agathe Gruber Raedler. As a child she moved to Vienna, Austria, where she was raised. When World War II ended Vienna was divided between the Allied Forces, and the Russian military confiscated their home. Her family became refugees and returned to Germany where, in 1947, she met her future husband, Thomas W. Estridge. After his third assignment to Germany they were married and shared 55 years of marriage.
Ilse was an avid gardener. With her husband, Tom, they grew prize-winning roses and, at times, had more than 300 roses plants in their backyard. Ilse and Tom traveled extensively, exhibiting their beautiful roses in local, regional and national shows, frequently taking top honors. Ilse was one of the founding members of the Greater Columbia Rose Society and a long-time member of the S.C. Rose Society and the American Rose Society. She was a Life-Accredited American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian and A.R.S. Show Judge.
In 2006 Ilse was honored to have a rose named after her by the American Rose Society. “Ilse,” a white rose with pink edges and will be an everlasting tribute to her.
As a wife, mother and “Oma,” Ilse was “Best in Show.” Gracious, loving, vibrant, energetic and kind, she will sorely be missed by all who knew her.
Ilse is survived by her devoted husband, Capt. Thomas W. Estridge, U.S. Army (Ret.); three daughters, Karen Smith and husband, Wyche, of Roswell, Ga., Brenda Hart and husband, Art, of Elgin, Ingrid Watzka and husband, Bret, of Pearl River, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Erin, John and Patrick Hart, Brittany and Johanna Watzka, and Matthew and Daniel Smith; her sister, Gertrude Schumacher of Munich, Germany; many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Ilse’s life will be held 11 a.m. Monday, November 23, 2009, at Trinity Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to The Sturge-Weber Foundation (www.sturge-weberfoundation.org) or Trinity Presbyterian Church.
