With heavy and saddened hearts, we announce the passing of Ilse Emmi Polivka. Ilse was a much-loved mother, sister, Oma, Omie, Tante, and friend to many. Surrounded and comforted by her family Ilse peacefully passed at the Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie on April 18, 2026.

Ilse was predeceased by her parents, Willy, and Auguste Bremer; husband, Gunter (2018) and brother, Gunter. Ilse leaves to mourn; her daughter, Susan (Paul); son, Glenn (Darla); grandchildren: Anna (Nathan), Patrick (Leah), Echo (Ivan) and Mattea (Louis); dear sister, Imgard and niece Elke, of Germany; great-granddaughters: Holly, Maya and Emily as well as brother-in-law, Ray; nieces: Rea, Jadine and Teagan; nephew, Brian (Margo), Taylor and Davis; niece, Denise, Dan (Pam) as well as dear friends and extended family.

Ilse was born and grew up in Dortmund (Eving) Germany, in harder times. Ilse survived WWII and at sixteen years old began her working career as a salesgirl apprentice in 1947. This placement lasted until June 1949, when her father applied to have her released from her contract because of the horrible treatment she received there. By August, Ilse had found a job sewing foundation garments in an assembly line factory. Ilse excelled and she became Banderste. Her reference letter praises her sewing and supervisory skills, knowledge, and attitude. Mom and Dad married August 2, 1952, after which she found a job in November sewing draperies and worked there until October 1957.

Ilse was swept up in Gunter’s dream to immigrate to Canada and joined him here in November 1957. Arriving in Vancouver, then driving to ‘a shack’ in Jackpine, near Panorama Ski Resort, she initially announced they must start saving to return home. Dad always had promised that if they didn’t like it, they could go back. Dad and Mom finally moved into company housing in the Mineral King mining camp, where Mom learned to curl, ran the company store, and learned many other “survival” skills. Mom and Dad proudly became Canadian citizens October 9, 1962. When the mine closed in 1967 Ilse and Gunter settled in Kimberley with the help of his sister, Hildegard, and brother-in-law Ray. Hildegard cared for Gunter and the kids while Ilse attended Vancouver Vocational Institute to become a hairdresser.

Ilse’s Beauty Salon was a fixture in Kimberley for over thirty years. Mom loved her work, her “shampoo girls” and her customers, many of whom became dear friends. Ilse would schedule private appointments for men who weren’t comfortable coming when the shop was full of ladies. Mom enjoyed attending hair shows, learning new techniques and seeing all the glitz and glamour. Mom volunteered her hairdresser talents to the Kimberley Pines residents for many years. Mom and Dad built their dream home in Meadowbrook, where she relocated her business until she officially retired. But “the shop” was always open for family and special friends, and Mom always carried her cape and scissors with her in case family or friends needed a trim. She was so talented and loved to make us all feel good. Omie gave Holly and Maya their first haircuts as well as a few trims.

Mom was an excellent cook, from down home, everyday to gourmet, everything she made was delicious. Mom also loved to bake! It wasn’t Christmas without her Stollen and her Linzertorte was heavenly. Sometimes Mom wouldn’t be satisfied with the results, which we always argued was completely unfounded. Anything she made was always devoured to the last crumb! Her grandchildren grew up on special breakfasts of pfannekuchen in different forms but her rolled up pancakes with jam were the hands down favorite. Ilse was a member of the Kimberley Elk’s Ten Pin Bowling League and looked forward to those evenings at the two-lane alley with manual pin setters, often buying the boys a pop and chips and giving them a tip when they didn’t delay setting the pins back up!

Mom also loved playing games, especially Scrabble, and cards, Crib (gleefully with Muggins), Solitaire and eventually Bridge. She loved her Bridge ladies and their weekly get-togethers. Nothing could interfere with her weekly schedule of volunteering, meeting her lunch ladies and playing Bridge. They have a full table now and the Bridge cards are flying; maybe Mom is happily winning the “pot” with “the trick-with-a-2”.

Ilse volunteered for many other groups and events over the years and was a generous supporter of worthy causes like the food bank. Mom never sewed professionally in Canada but was always sewing and mending for the family, anything from costumes to curtains to toys and mending socks. Even when projects were challenging, she would keep opening seams until she was satisfied. Mom could also knit and crochet. Ilse was never shy of a challenge and always made the best of things.

After a fall in 2022 Mom moved to “The Farm” in Grasmere with Paul and Susan, where she enjoyed her last years. Mom told people that she felt like she had won the lottery and claimed to be very happy. Mom was happiest at visits with her grandchildren and most especially with her great-granddaughters. Mom left us with this advice; be kind to one another. Good advice from a life well-lived. Rest in peace Mom, Oma, Omie.

The Polivka and Templin families would like to thank Dr. Michal, and the doctors, nurses and staff at the Elk Valley Hospital, the staff and physicians at Sparling East Medical, who provided such good care of Mom particularly these past few weeks. Most special thanks to Dr. Stuckey for always taking such wonderful care of Mom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Angel Flight.

Memories and condolences shared at www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com

mcphersonfh.com