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Welcome to the memorial page for

Irene Willmes

February 1, 2015


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Lake Linden: Irene Willmes, 95, of Lake Linden, Michigan, died peacefully at the Omega House on February 1, 2015.

                She was born on June 21, 1919, in Lake Linden, a daughter of Clara Louise (Bebeau) Bourdeau and Camille Fredinand Bourdeau.  She graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School in 1938, and earned a 4-H scholarship to attend Michigan State University.  She worked for the Haskell Household for many years, was a noted caterer for special occasions, supervised the hot lunch program for the Lake Linden-Hubbell School District, and opened her home for Adult Foster Care for over 30 years.

                She was married to Lester A. Willmes on August 1, 1942 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  

                She was a member of St. Joseph Church and the Altar Society.  She was also a member of the VFW post 4624 Auxiliary of Hubbell.

                She was preceded in death by: her husband-Lester A. Willmes in 1983, her parents, and 7 sisters and brothers.

                She is survived by: her brothers-Gorgon Bourdeau and Alfred Bourdeau; her children-Janet (John) Donovan; Mary (Lawrence) Marcotte, Ronald (Anita) Willmes, James (Joan) Willmes; grandchildren- Charles (Joan Slavin) Marcotte, Catherine (Darrin) Gyurich, Cheryl (Sean) Lyons, Renee (Michael) Genetti, Michael Donovan, Scott (Lauren) Willmes, Beth (Bryan) MacKenzie, Eric (Tonya) Willmes, Keith Willmes, Meghan Anderson, Marcela Johnson; 23 great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews.

                A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 3, at Saint Joseph Church with Fr. Francis Dobrzenski to officiate.  A Memorial Mass and celebration of Irene’s life will be held at Saint Joseph Church at 11:00 AM on Monday July 6, 2015.  Spring burial will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery.  The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences mat be left at pearcefuneralhome.com

                Gifts in memory of Irene can be made to The Omega House, 3211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931


 Service Information

Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday
February 3, 2015

11:00 AM
Saint Joseph Catholic Church
701 Calumet Street
Lake Linden, Michigan 49945

Memorial Mass
Monday
July 6, 2015

11:00 AM
Saint Joseph Catholic Church
701 Calumet Street
Lake Linden, Michigan 49945


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