Inabeth Marie Mailand-Bratfish, age 92, of Roscommon, died on Monday, July 4, 2022, at her home.
Inabeth was born February 26, 1930, in Alma, Michigan, the daughter of Clare and Bessie (Gilbert) Vanderbeek.
Inabeth was a loving daughter, wife and mother who always prioritized her life with God and family first. She attended Alma Public Schools where she excelled as a student leader. In her senior annual it describes her like this, “Few do all they are supposed to do, she does more”. Inabeth carried this into her adult life when she married the love of her life Fred Mailand, a marriage that lasted 44 years.
After meeting at a DJ dance in Alma, Inabeth and Fred fell in love and married on February 27, 1948. They started their family in Alma, Mi before moving to St. Louis Michigan. The family enjoyed camping and boating activities. Inabeth was an avid supporter of her children’s activities and sporting events. People still talk about her cowbell at football games.
While parenting four children with Fred, Inabeth made a career at General Telephone for 30 years. She used her “do more” attitude, starting as an operator and finishing her career as an engineer. She was active in the Telephone Pioneer Club.
After retirement she filled her time volunteering at the American Red Cross, organizing blood drives and making great pies and biscuits.
After Fred retired, they moved to their beloved Lake Charlevoix to enjoy time together and with family and friends. They hosted all the grandchildren during summer visits, enriching their lives with cherished memories.
After Fred’s passing, Inabeth moved back to St Louis to be closer to family and friends. She enjoyed going to Florida for the winters and traveling the country to see grandchildren. During this time, she met Herman Bratfish, found love again and was married. Herman and Inabeth lived in a wooded area outside of Roscommon, where Inabeth enjoyed her love of nature, daily walks, and camping. She was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church and The Red Hat Society.
Inabeth endured the hardship of out-living three of her children yet always stayed the course with God leading her life.
Inabeth will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Herman Bratfish of Roscommon; son, Rick (Debbie) Mailand of Livingston, Texas; grandchildren: Chris (Heidi) Mailand, Laura (Galen) Zimmerman, Melissa (Clay) Condrey; great-grandchildren: Fredi and Cooper Mailand, Mai, Ava and Parker Mailand, Ella and Charlotte Condrey; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Inabeth is preceded in death by her parents, Clare J Vanderbeek and Bessie E. Gilbert; sisters: Wilabel Wood and Wanda Pratt; husband, Frederick W. Mailand II; sons: Frederick W Mailand III, Stephan J. Mailand; and daughter, Michelle M. Mailand.
Family and friends will gather on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 11:00 AM for a Memorial Mass, with an hour of gathering prior, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 104 North 6th Street, Roscommon, Michigan 48653.
A second Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 on July 23rd at the St. Louis Church of Christ, St Louis, Michigan. Lunch to follow.
Those that do not wish to attend the service in person due to distance, weather, or the pandemic, may watch the service streamed live at: https://www.facebook.com/wagnerandwalshfuneraldirectors
The family prefers memorial contributions be made in Inabeth’s name to the American Lung Association.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, Roscommon.
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