Ingeburg Anna Champion, 82, passed away on May 27, 2014 at a local care facility in Colorado Springs. Inga was born on February 29, 1932 in Czechoslovakia to the late Adolf and Elsa (Rücker) Illner. After graduating high school, she attended an art college in Europe and later received her degree from a local college here in the Springs. She met Al Champion in New Mexico while he was serving in the United States Army. They were married on April 4, 1975 in Albuquerque.
In 1975, Inga and Al moved to Colorado Springs. Inga was involved with many organizations. She was past president of the Rocky Mountain Leadership Council, a member of The Retired Officer’s Wives Club, Fort Carson Ladies Golf Association, Military Order of World Wars (MOWW), Military Officer’s Association of America (MOAA) as well as a former member on the Pioneer Museum Board. Inga also enjoyed volunteering at the Grace Episcopal Church thrift house for many years. In her spare time, Inga enjoyed flowers and arranging flowers, singing, sewing, opera and classical music, traveling, German food and cooking and proving she was “the hostess with the mostest.” She had also received her pilot’s license and enjoyed airplanes and aviation. She was a proud supporter of: The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Pike’s Peak Jazz and Swing Society, Colorado Springs Choral Society and the Pike’s Peak Opera League.
Inga is survived by her son, Mike (Nancy) Edwards of Lawton, Oklahoma; stepchildren: Mary Jo (Joe) Barnette of Valley, Alabama, Sally (Richard) Beck of Upland, California, Fred (Cristena) Champion of Salt Lake City, Utah and Bill (Judy) Champion of Smithville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her brother, Dieter Brändlein of Stuttgart, Germany as well as six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Inga is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Retired Colonel Al Champion.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2014 at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 E. Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. A reception will immediately follow services at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 S. Union Boulevard.