Ingrid Fritzen Nemelka

The world was at war on July 20,1942, when Ingrid Fritzen Nemelka was born in Anklam, Germany to Johann Joseph Fritzen and Anny Elisabeth von Hayn. By age three, Ingrid became fatherless and a refugee. Her mother, a widow with five young children, buried an infant son and fled to western Germany. Until the end of her life, our mother viewed herself as that little German girl who had to scrimp and save to survive. Her life began during wartime and ended with a battle against pancreatic cancer. She passed away on July 12, 2024. 

Our parents met in Germany when our dad, David Robert Nemelka, was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their love story began and bloomed through letters. In January of 1962, Mom emigrated to the United States on a ship that sailed into New York harbor. She lived with her sister Gerlinde in Marblehead, Massachusetts, while Dad was stationed in Baltimore with the U.S. Army Reserve. On weekends, Dad hitchhiked all night to see her, tossing pebbles at her window when he arrived. They married on November 21,1962, in the Logan Utah temple. Seven children were welcomed into their home. Dad always said, “We prayed for and wanted each one of you.” 

Dad called mom his “double, double sweetheart” and teased that she was a German princess. They played Chinese Checkers at night, took rides in the canyon, and delivered fruit or Mom’s German cakes to neighbors. They watched Jazz games, attended symphonies and operas, and spent time with friends. When Dad died, we were devastated. But Mom, our hero, taught us resilience, courage, and determination by the way she rebuilt her life and leaned on her faith. 

When someone would ask Mom about her children, she would reply, “Do you want me to tell the truth or brag?” Then she would declare, “They are the same.” Our home was filled with loyalty, love, and high expectations. We woke to hot breakfasts and gathered nightly for home cooked meals. She taught us to use utensils properly and do the dishes right after dinner. As a true German Hausfrau, keeping the house clean was a priority. She was organized and loved a schedule. Playing Settlers of Catan became a family tradition and Mom won the last two games she ever played. 

Mom had a great sense of humor. We loved teasing her about her accent. Some of our favorite words she said were “uber” and “baroque.” She wasn’t a mom who knew who our teachers were, nagged us about homework, or had any idea how to apply for college. A brilliant woman, she didn’t have the opportunity to attend university. Even so, she expected good grades and knew each of her children would be well-educated and earn degrees. Mom was our cheerleader and pushed us to achieve through her daily example of hard work and exactness.

Mom loved to celebrate. She added special touches to make birthdays and holidays magical. Every year, we woke up to a personalized “birthday table” full of presents and goodies. A vase of fresh flowers and a treat were on the nightstand when we visited. She decorated our home for each holiday, but Christmas displayed her German heritage. Our home sparkled with lit candles, nutcrackers, and a hand-carved nativity from Oberammergau. Beginning on December 6, we set our shoes by the door each night for St. Nikolaus to fill with treats. Every year she baked Marzipantaller and taught each of her granddaughters how to make them. We dressed up for Christmas Eve, ate at an elegant table set with fine china and crystal, feasted on a German meal of Rouladen, Rotkohl, and Sauerkraut. Mom loved Christmas and sharing the traditions of her homeland.

Besides being a mother, her favorite role was being an Omi to thirty-two grandchildren. Everyone knew it as she drove around town in her red Audi with a license plate proclaiming “Omi 32.” Birthday dates, tea parties, cookie-making, sleepovers, dice games, NBA watching, holiday visits, hugs, kisses, and devoted time is why each grandchild feels they are Omi’s favorite. Whether three or thirty-three, our mom had a gift for loving children, and she became Mapleton’s Omi. She loved hearing the voices of neighborhood kids jumping on her trampoline and always had a small pack of Gummibärchen and a big hug for them.

Mom loved and lived the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her faith was steady, and she lived by example. Temple attendance was central to her life, and anytime we couldn’t reach her, we knew that’s where she was. Small acts of service to neighbors, friends, and strangers filled her days. She served as an MTC missionary for thirty years, had a goal of memorizing a new scripture each month (which she did), and served faithfully in the church, including as Relief Society and Primary President. Her favorite calling was as a Primary teacher to the many children she adored. Family prayer was sacred to her. Even on the last night of her earthly life, all seven children gathered around her for family prayer as she departed for her heavenly home. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Robert Nemelka; her grandchildren, Anna Loeen Nemelka and Theodore Lynn Nemelka; her parents, and her siblings; Achim Fritzen, Gerlinde Boyack, Heimtraut Taylor, Bodo Fritzen, and Detlef Fritzen.

Ingrid is survived by her seven children: David Nephi Nemelka, John Fritzen Nemelka, Heidi Udall (Joseph), Joseph Nemelka (Christy), Sonja Wasden (Mitchell), Allyson Ruth Davidson (William), Michael Nephi Nemelka (Melanie), thirty grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be in Mapleton, Utah beginning on Friday, July 26, at Wheeler Mortuary, 82 W. 400 N. from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Family will also greet friends from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. prior to the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, July 27 at the Mapleton White Church, 31 W. Maple Street. She will be interred next to her mother and husband at Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 S. 400 E., Springville, Utah.

Livestream option will also be available for those who cannot attend.