Irene West

Irene Marie (Schweizer) West -- 95ys.

Joined our Lord on November 11, 2014. She passed away peacefully at Welcome Home Elder Care in Rapid City, Mi. where she had been in Hospice and under the tender loving care of Dan and Cindy Chambers the last 2 A½ months.

Irene was born on September 15, 1919 to Walter and Eva (Maxian) Schweizer of Farmington, Mi. She attended Clarenceville and Farmington Schools, graduating from Farmington High School, class of 1938. She married her High School sweetheart, Edgar H. West on June 14, 1941. Irene worked as a switch board operator during WWII. She then became a Mother and Housewife when her first daughter Julia Marie (Hacker) West was born on October 25, 1943. At the time her husband Edgar was in the Army in Buffalo and crossed the English Channel on Julia's first birthday to engage into war with the 78th Lightning Division.

After the war Irene and Edgar built 2 different homes in Farmington, the 2nd on Cloverdale where they lived until Retirement. Their second daughter, Cynthia Anne (Sitko) West was born on December 18, 1948.

Irene was active with Town Club, JC's, Eastern Star since 1955, Moose, Elks, VFW and American Legion where her and Edgar had many friends and loved dancing right up until they were in their 90's. They Retired in Alden, Mi. on beautiful Torch Lake in 1976 and spent their winters in Venice, Florida. In Alden she loved her home on the lake and especially sunning on the dock with her grandchildren. In Venice she loved fishing with Edgar and sitting at the Jetties watching the boats come in. Edgar preceded her in death in 2011 after 70 years of marriage.

Irene will be cremated as her request and the Family will plan a June, 2015 Memorial Service for her in Alden, Mi. She will be greatly missed by her daughters Julia (Roy) Hacker and Cynthia (Joseph) Sitko both of Alden, Mi.

Seven Grandchildren: Roy (Karla) Hacker II of Northville, Jacqueline Hacker (deceased), Marlene (Larry) Luttrell of Canton, Brandi Marks of Traverse City, Chad Marks of Traverse City, Michelle Sitko of Alden, and Josh Sitko (Coast Guard) of St. Louis, Mo.

Ten Great Grandchildren: Roy Hacker III and Krystal Hacker of Northville, Dalton Sulz of Alden, Morgan, Logan, Meredith and Mallory Luttrell of Canton, Lucas and Jesse Marks of Traverse City and Dylan Sitko of St. Louis, Mo.

Two sisters, Helen (Schweizer) McKay (deceased), Betty (Schweizer) Fuller of South Lyon, and two brothers, Walter Schweizer of Livonia and Allen (Linda) Schweizer of Grand Blanc. Many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Any donations to the West Family will be sent on to our Local Charity and Food Bank. They may be sent to West Family P.O. Box 129 Alden, Mi. 49612

Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.