Obituaries

Irene Helen Stauffer passed peacefully to her Lord on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Evergreen Living Center in St. Ignace, Michigan. She was 84 years old and loved by many. Irene was the third born child of Frank and Clara Stauffer of Roscommon, Michigan. She was born in an era when education did not recognize how special she was. Luckily, her family did. She left school in the second grade and helped her mother at home. She played a key role in raising her younger siblings after her father died in an accident at a young age. Irene cherished her family and being a sister to two brothers and three sisters. She loved any holiday or Sunday that the homestead would fill with siblings, nieces, and nephews for family dinner. Irene helped raise her nephew David (Ponch) and niece Mary Jane and she did her best to make sure they had all the love she could give. With Irene around, laughter was not far off. She loved to tell stories from when she was young, and she never forgot a story that would make her audience laugh. Her legacy will live on through the stories we will tell our children and grandchildren. Irene was the center of the Stauffer family. She was at everything the family did. Baby showers, graduations, anniversaries, weddings and even funerals…if the Stauffer’s were gathering—Irene was always there. She could even kick it up Polka style on the dance floor.

When her mother passed away in 1990, Irene moved to the UP with her sister Betty (Bern) Sorrels. At 52 years old she would finally get to be a kid. She was so excited when Betty enrolled her in school, and she proudly rode the bus to Take Five. There she made new friends that were all her own. She participated in the Michigan Special Olympics where she won many bowling tournaments, cross country ski races, and Bocce Ball games. She was always so proud of her winnings and the family fawned over her accomplishments. While she could decipher some basic words, her favorite form of written communication was circling the gifts she wanted in the Christmas catalog. She loved word searches, puzzles and coloring and would spend hours on her projects. Irene loved anything that brought color to life—including coloring easter eggs or frosting cookies for the holidays. She held a job for several years with Northern Transitions and worked diligently running a paper shredder or putting “little pieces” together. She loved her job and her paycheck even more. Irene was so proud to earn her own money. It was a freedom she had never had, and she loved it! She often had a wallet full of dollar bills and baby/school pictures. Irene loved all the babies in the family, and family often sent baby and school pictures of the great nieces and nephews.

Irene was an avid fisherman and loved to sit on the dock or boat and throw a line in the water. She wasn’t afraid to bait a hook and she would often volunteer to clean the fresh catch brought in by her brothers or nephews. Irene loved life on the lake—and enjoyed it in Houghton Lake, Brevort Lake in the UP, and Paradise Lake just south of Mackinaw City. Her home at Evergreen Living Center overlooked Lake Huron and she loved to watch the boats going to and from the Island.

Irene is survived by her brother Clint (Barb) Stauffer; sisters, Betty Sorrels and Clara Ann (Peter) Christensen; brother-in-law, Bud Mortensen; nephews and nieces; David (Deb) Stauffer, Mary Jane Stauffer, Darrell (Mary Pat) Laver, Kevin (Melissa) Laver, Tracy (Doug) Wilson, Mary Ann (Jake)Figley, Nancy Stauffer-Venus, Brad (Linda) Stauffer, Jeff (Susan) Christensen, Marcie (Gary) Christensen, Kat (Rich) Meyer, Greg (Brenda) Mortenson; Michael Mortensen, Deb (Ross) Gibson, Matt Mortensen, Chris (Rochelle) Mortenson and many great nieces and nephews. Irene also leaves behind special friendships with Michael Mortensen, Shirley Sorrels, and the staff at Evergreen who loved her so well.

Irene was preceded in death by her daddy, Franklin; mother Clara; sister Joyce Mortensen; brother Chuck Stauffer; brother-in-law Bern Sorrels; and nephew Michael Christensen.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for Irene’s 85th Birthday. On June 10th family and friends will gather for a graveside service at Markey Township Cemetery with a picnic to follow at Markey Township Park.

Memorial contributions can be made in Irene’s name to the Evergreen Living Center at 1140 N State St., St Ignace, MI 49781. May her love and laughter be what you remember the most.

Galer Dodson Funeral Home of St. Ignace, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.