Mrs. Ilse Raedler Estridge
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Mrs. Ilse Raedler Estridge

  • August 15, 1927 - November 20, 2009
  • Columbia, South Carolina
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“Tom and Family,. We just learn recently of your loss. Our heart and prays go out to you all. Ilse was a good patience, caring friend to our...Read More » ”
1 of 10 | Posted by: Dennis and Karen Reiland - GA

“Our family has just learned of your loss. My grandparents Charles and Joyce Hoyt have been close friends with Tom and Ilse since they were in the...Read More » ”
2 of 10 | Posted by: Kerry Evans - Mesa, AZ

“My prayers are with you. Everyone has fond memories of your mother, she was such a wonderful person. Janet Padgett ”
3 of 10 | Posted by: Janet Padgett

“My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Melanie ”
4 of 10 | Posted by: Melanie Estridge - Charlotte, NC

“We are so very saddened for your loss. You are in our prayers daily. We pray that God strengthens you and helps you to make it through this terrible...Read More » ”
5 of 10 | Posted by: Norma McLane & Sheila Foster & families

“To the Estridge family, We were saddened to learn of the passing of your mother. She was always kind to each one of us in the Faircloth family. Our...Read More » ”
6 of 10 | Posted by: Madelynne Faircloth - Columbia, SC

“Karen,My condolences to you and your entire family in the loss of your mother.God's peace to you all during these very difficult times. ”
7 of 10 | Posted by: Robert Madean - Punta Gorda, FL

“Dear Tom and Family: We are deeply sorry to hear dear Ilse passed away. She was always a source of joy and inspiration to grow and show better roses...Read More » ”
8 of 10 | Posted by: Vijaya and Satish Prabhu - SC

“With deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts. Love, Betty,Beth,Debbie ”
9 of 10 | Posted by: Matthews Family - Columbia, SC

“The staff of Dunbar Funeral Home extends deepest condolences to the Estridge family. ”
10 of 10 | Posted by: Merridy Halfacre - Columbia, SC


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.