“Always Count Your Blessings” will be a loving reminder of Irene’s great faith and love. Enjoying a good and long life, Irene lived it counting her blessings daily. She had a way of blending her love completely, unconditionally and deeply, and her children will continue her legacy. Happy Granny memories will live on in the

hearts of her 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren as she will be missed for her infectious smile, warm hugs, and patriotic spirit. Her love will continue forever.

A time of great change, normalcy was slowly returning to America in the wake of World War I. Jazz music blossomed,

and the flapper redefined modern womanhood. The year 1923 brought forth the 8-hour workday as the economy was beginning to prosper and manufacturing was at an all-time high. Irene was born on July 31, 1923, the fourth child to John and Hazel (Post) Ketchel. When Irene was quite young, her parents divorced and she and her sister, Helen, went to live with their Grandma and Grandpa Post in Belmont,

Michigan. She attended the one-room school house, Post School, in Belmont, which she proudly mentioned any time she

could. During her high school years, she attended Grand Rapids Union and lived once again with her mother and

step-father. Irene’s first job was working at Grand Rapids Creamery as a soda jerk. She would walk to and from work from their home at 947 Alpine.

It was while attending a family function that Irene’s life took on a dramatic change when she was introduced to Edward Gressler, her mother’s nephew by marriage. The two began dating and soon a romance developed. World War II began and Ed enlisted into the military where he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. While training in Nebraska, Irene traveled to visit him where they were married on August 19, 1942, in Scottsbluff. Ed was soon shipped off to England and served as a radioman on a B-24 Liberator. He flew 24 safe missions, and on the 25th and last mission, his plane was shot down and for the next 15 months, Irene anxiously awaited word

about his safety while being held captive as a German POW. He was finally released at the war’s end. While Ed was in the service, Irene spent her time working at the candy counter in Steketee’s Department Store.

After his return home, Irene and Ed lived in an apartment for a time before buying their first home at 200 National. It was in this home that Irene delighted in becoming a mother to son Gary in 1946, followed by Diane in 1949, and Joan in 1957. Having been raised in a Baptist home, Irene converted to Catholicism after their first two children were born. In late 1957, they built a new home “up the hill” at 1727 Lenora Terrace, and it was there they welcomed another daughter, Shirley in 1959. Irene loved her children and became involved with their

activities and kept a wonderful home for them. Devout Catholics, it was important to Irene for her children to have a Catholic education, and they each attended St. Mary’s Elementary School, and later on Union High. Family vacations were spent making memories while renting cottages on several inland lakes in Michigan where Ed and Irene could fish. During the time Joan and Shirley grew up, Irene worked at Matthew’s Pharmacy & Gift.

When Irene was in her 40’s she finally learned how to drive, and never even received one ticket. With her skill for knitting, Irene lovingly knitted sweaters, caps and outfits for the many babies that came along in the

family as well as loads of mittens for many family members and friends. One of her greatest talents took place in the kitchen where her specialties included Swiss steak, German cabbage, Spaetzle noodles, and her wonderful homemade cookies, soups, and scrumptious pies. Everyone was welcome at Irene’s table where there was sure to be a full spread and plenty of food to go around. Irene’s passion for ice cream went way back, and her favorite was Strawberry Cheesecake.

When Ed retired from the U.S. Post Office in 1980 after suffering from heart issues, they were able to spend more time together with their family, especially the growing number of grandchildren. Irene loved her family dearly, and was often referred to as “Granny” by the grandkids. So loving and dedicated to them, Irene embraced each of them and spent every opportunity she could with them. They spent many hours attending grandkids’ baseball, football, hockey, and softball games, as well as band programs and art shows at their schools. Irene and Ed also took time for a little travel, having visited the Air Force Museum and the Baseball Hall of Fame. They also took the train twice to visit Gary and Linda and their family in Santa Barbara, California.

Irene’s beloved Ed passed away in March of 1991, and in November of that year, she underwent surgery and radiation after a battle with breast cancer. This proved to be a difficult time for Irene, but with the support and love from her family, Irene continued to live by her life motto, “always count your blessings.” One of their favorite pastimes was going on fall color tours north to Petoskey. And then later, she went on a trip of a lifetime when she traveled to the East Coast on a color tour. Her last big trip was to Kentucky this past May where she enjoyed her grandson Mike’s wedding and staying with Gary and Linda and their Kentucky lake home.

Irene also enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars and Everyone Loves Raymond. She also took up an interest in watching the Detroit Tigers, golf and also NASCAR races on TV. She on occasion attended a few races at Berlin Raceway in Marne,

Michigan, where she rooted for her two grandson’s Billy Shotko #27 and Nick Shotko #19. Irene also attended mass every Sunday or in the last year, watching in on TV. When it was time to downsize, Irene moved into Marsh Ridge Senior Apartments in 2007 where she made many

new friends. In early 2008, Irene’s breast cancer returned, and after undergoing several chemotherapy treatments, she went to live with her daughter, Jo, and Jo’s family. Irene

was able to enjoy her 86th birthday party just this past July 31st, with many family and friends attending.

Even though she fought a courageous battle, Irene Mae Gressler went to share eternal life with God at the age of 86 years old on Thursday, August 20, 2009. She was lovingly cared for by all of her children and grandchildren.

Besides her husband, Irene was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings. She is lovingly survived by her children, Gary and Linda Gressler, Diane and Ed Lorenski, Joan “Jo” and Steve Heemstra, and Shirley and John Norton; her beloved grandchildren, Melissa, Billy and Jody, Jennifer, Michael and Niki, Andy and Lin, Stacey, Nick and Janna, Allison, Adrianne, and Kyle. She was a proud “Great Mom” to her eight great-grandchildren, Joey, Devin, Cole, Caia, Evan, Austin, Brayden, and Katelyn. She leaves five nephews and special friends, Ruth Liszewski and Norbert and Glennis Markowski. The family would like to extend a special thank you to In-House Hospice for their care and concern, especially caregiver Shasta May, who Irene affectionately called

“Stasha.” A big thank you also to her granddaughter, Adrianne Irene, for her special, loving care given to Grandma this summer. Rest in peace, and until we meet again -- we will love and miss you!

The Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 24, 2009, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 431 First Street NW. Friends may meet with her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home--Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW on Sunday from 1 - 3 and 6 - 9 PM, as well as one hour prior to the service at Church. The Vigil Service will begin at 6:00 PM Sunday evening. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Restoration Fund or The Kids Food Basket Program. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory, photo, or to sign her online guest register.