Help keep Inger, 106-year-old war hero, at home

Dear Donors and Friends: Inger passed away this afternoon (August 14 1:30PM Mountain Time). It was peaceful and she was ready. Her beloved caregiver was by her side.

Thank you all so very much for helping to keep Inger in those wonderful, caring, safe surroudings for these last months of her life. Inger's whole family is so grateful.

Given this, I will now be closing the GoFundMe. The funds already received are enough to pay for Inger's caregiving expenses through her death. Again, thank you!

Warm regards,
Lisa

Not many of us get to outlive our resources, but at age 106 Jackson Hole icon and role model Inger Koedt has done just that. After a very long and inspiring life, Inger needs financial help now to stay at home for the last months of her life.

She would never ask for help, so we are. We’re a collection of long-time friends, all with lives touched deeply by our friend Inger, who want to see her remain at home. Luckily, she doesn’t know about any of this. She would be embarrassed. We firmly believe that she not feel regret or guilt for living the humble, strong life she did.




In past generations, or in her native Denmark, an elder like Inger would have lived with her children and grandchildren. But times change, and Inger’s two daughters are thousands of miles away and in their eighties, unable to take her in. A few years ago her children sold her modest house in Jackson, Wyoming, for her, with the stipulation that Inger be able to live out her life in her own home. The sale proceeds all went to hiring skilled care for Inger. She was 101-years-old at the time – who knew the funds would run out before Inger did? At 106 she now needs nursing assistance 24/7, at a cost of $15,500 per month.

Inger is alert and still interested in life and her surroundings.  We all know that she will withdraw and die if she has to follow the end-of-life course she’s now facing – declaring herself a pauper and moving into a nursing home on Medicaid. And the COVID-19 pandemic complicates matters further.

This isn’t a plea for long-term care – she doesn’t have a lot of time left on Earth. Inger didn’t live extravagantly or fritter away her life savings. She worked hard throughout her life, and lived frugally.  She just enjoyed a really long, exemplary life. This is to let her live out her days in dignity, in familiar surroundings, to honor her inspirational life by giving her the same respect and care she gave to the world.  We hope that she can continue pain-free, in safe surroundings, until it is her time to leave us. We want nothing more for Inger than she wants for herself – a good newspaper, NPR, and a bite of dark chocolate.



During these divisive times, if we had to name one person who represents the best of humanity, we would tell you “Inger Koedt.” Inger has been a moral compass for many of us. When she came to the United States in 1950 and swore her allegiance to the flag, she also swore to cherish the unspoiled landscapes and generous people of her new country. It was years before we learned of her harrowing time in Nazi-occupied Denmark, hiding Danish Jews in her basement while they waited to escape to Sweden. She took them in and fed them, risking her own life and her children’s. In the link below she tells her story.   Inger was very honored and humbled to be recognized by the Jackson Hole Jewish Community and the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, but always said “I felt I had to do, everybody had to do if they could.”  She has also shared her story with local school children.
 
Helping the Danish Jews:

YouTube video: 

Newspaper article about Inger's help to the Jews in WWII:

So It Does Not Happen Again, JH Weekly, February 10-16, 2009 https://archive.planetjh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2010_02_10.pdf 
 
Book:  Darkness Over Denmark:  the Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews, by Ellen Levine (copyright 2000)  https://www.amazon.com/Darkness-over-Denmark-Ellen-Levine/dp/0823414477/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=darkness+over+denmark&qid=1621022115&sr=8-1 

 
Inger left her home by the sea and discovered a new love for mountains and wide-open western landscapes.  She always thought she would only be happy by the water, but fell in love with the mountains and nature around the Tetons.  Inger climbed the Grand Teton at age 62, and delighted in cross country skiing and hiking in the backcountry. 

 Inger contributed to the community, raising her children and making a home wherever they were.  She was cook at the Mangy Moose and caretaker at the Murie Ranch.  Inger helped create the Teton Science School and served on the Board of the Murie Center, a special space in the Grand Teton National Park, earlier owned by her friends and noted naturalists and conservationists Mardy and Olaus Murie.  Inger also championed housing for the poorer residents and workers in Jackson, serving on the Board of the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust, supported the local library, and earlier donated to the Community Foundation.  Inger was known for her lovely meals, and even published a cookbook with good friends.  Inger welcomed everyone, offering comfort and a home-cooked meal to so many friends, family and strangers. 

YouTube video:


Newspaper articles:
https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/valley/feature/centenarian-feels-lucky-is-still-enjoying-life/article_742dbcd1-8730-517a-9002-b2556d6b7f04.html 

https://byuiscroll.org/105-year-old-teton-woman-overcomes-challenges-rockier-than-mountains/ 

https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/scene/food/chef_notes/koedt-still-cooking-as-she-nears-104/article_c437145d-44fd-5049-a76f-f21d04ea6839.html 

 Inger about the wilderness:

YouTube video:
 

Inger’s 90th birthday:

YouTube video:







 Inger's words:  be kind

YouTube video:




THANK YOU!  From the Friends of Inger Committee
 

Barbara Barker * Leith Barker * Charlie Craighead * Lisa Craighead * Candra Day * Reade Dornan *Patty Ewing * Jean Jorgensen * Tom Mangelsen * Lorna Miller * Lisa Peschcke-Koedt * Nina Peschcke-Koedt * Ann Smith * Margot Snowdon * Laurie Thal * Mike Wardell * Loring Woodman