Ilse Cork Obituary

Ilse Berta Cork, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away peacefully in her sleep May 18th, 2010 at age 80. Her passing followed a long and brave struggle with emphysema that weakened her body, but never her mind or great spirit. She is survived by her daughter Michelle and her son Herb. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and loved ones that enjoyed her storytelling and cared for her deeply, including her lifelong friend Alenka Richardson of Alexandria, Virginia. Ilse was born in 1930 in Hornau, Germany as the only child of Albert Warzelhan and Anna Martin. Growing up in Frankfurt am Main, she and her family survived the heavy allied aerial bombardment of Frankfurt during the Second World War. In the years following the war, Ilse embarked on a vibrant series of life experiences, including European travel and diverse, interesting jobs at Frankfurt's Rhein-Main Airport, the International Press Club in Frankfurt, and with the Office of the High Commission for Occupied Germany in Bonn. She emigrated to the United States in 1953, and among her proudest accomplishments was earning her U.S. citizenship shortly thereafter. In 1954 she married Herbert L. Cork, Jr. in Bridgeport, West Virginia and then returned to Frankfurt where her husband was employed by the Department of the Army. In 1956 they moved to Heidelberg, Germany where she lived as a homemaker raising her children until returning to the U.S. in 1982. Ilse was a long-time resident of Bridgeport, W.Va. until she moved to Colorado Springs in 2000. She was preceded in death by her parents in 1954 and 1981, and by her husband in 1984. A colorful, fiercely proud and often stubborn woman, Ilse inherited her sculptor father's artistic sense and craftsmanship, and was a recognized perfectionist in all matters of handicraft such as needlepoint, crochet and cross-stitching. Her many unique and creative cross-stitch designs delighted both friends and family alike. Ilse also was a highly accomplished seamstress who made her own clothing and whose alteration skills were preferred by friends over local tailors. During the 1980's and 90's, she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and world, having visited nearly all 50 states and foreign locations such as Aruba, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Western Europe. Ilse was a devoted animal lover and throughout her life enjoyed the company of several pets including Fiffy, Asta, Patty, Sparkey, Fluffy and her beloved Toby. In her later years she very much enjoyed spoiling Paddy, Rosey and Molly as their dog Oma. Cremation is planned at Ilse's request, but there will be a celebration of her life on Monday, May 24th at 11:00 a.m. at the Penrose-St. Francis Senior Health Learning Center, 1644 Medical Center Point, Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ilse Cork's honor to Silver Key Senior Services, 2250 Bott Ave, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80904.