RUMELY - CARLSHEND, MI. Irene L. Kangas, age 91, former Rumely and Carlshend resident, entered eternal life Thursday evening, June 21, 2012 at Freeman's Nursing Home in Kingsford.
Born November 29, 1920 in Ishpeming, a daughter of Timothy and Aali (Koski) Kantola, Irene was raised in Carlshend. She was a 1938 graduate of the Gwinn High School and, following graduation, was employed as a waitress at the Northland Hotel (now Landmark Inn) for a time. On June 6, 1941, she married Waino Kangas in Marquette and together the couple made their first home in Rumely. It was on their "two cow farm, plus several chickens", that Irene and Waino raised their family and spent 49 years together. With the children raised, the couple moved to Carlshend. In retirement, they enjoyed traveling to several states, and even made a trip to Finland. Following Waino's death in 2006, Irene resided with her sister for a time before moving to live with her daughter and son-in-law in Felch.
Irene loved being outdoors, tending to flower and vegetable gardens. Her early years on a farm gave her a strong work ethic which she passed on to her children. Her homemaking years were filled with canning projects from her garden, as well as caring for her cows and chickens. Known for her baking skills, Irene gathered quite a number of awards from local fairs for her exhibits, seldom earning anything but first place, blue ribbon. She was a devoted Christian, a member of the Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Eben, a member of church auxiliary the King's Daughters, and a member of the Gideons International auxiliary.
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Irene L. Kangas
Irene is survived by her daughters, Darlene (Robert) Davidson of Felch and Susan (Jay) Eberth of St. Paul, MN; a daughter-in-law, Helen Kangas of Rudyard; her grandchildren, Dwayne, Mark, Amy, Lisa, Candy, Joshua, Sarah, and Paul; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Jacob, Eric, Trevor, Trista, Ethan, Christopher, Benjamin, Zachary, Autumn, Dillan, Emma, Ailie, Anna, Paul, Ellie, Abby, Mia and Paige; brothers, John (Gloria) Maki of Carlshend and Arvi (Judy) Maki of Marquette; sister-in-law, Bea Kantola of Marquette; several nieces and nephews. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Waino; a daughter, Jean Marie Kangas; her son, Wayne Charles Kangas; sister and brother-in-law, Laimi and Gerald Palesotti; brothers, Charles Kantola and Raymond Maki.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Eben on Monday, June 25, from 11:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon. Rev. Thomas Schierkolk, pastor, will officiate. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be made in the Pine Grove Cemetery with her grandchildren serving as escorts.
Memorials may be directed to the Calvary Free Lutheran Church, Eben, or Gideons International.
The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at www.swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com