Irene Stevenson, 98, of Gladwin was born on December 9th, 1926, in Taylor Township, Telreka, Michigan to William and Genevieve Sell in the family home at Telegraph and Eureka Roads.
Interestingly, her birth was not registered with the State of Michigan until later in life when her brother Kenneth, signed an affidavit, attesting to her birth to allow official registration in the State of Michigan on June 23rd, 1943. She was baptized on December 26th, 1926, confirmed on March 17th, 1940, and married on October 18th, 1952, all at St John’s Lutheran Church in Taylor, Michigan.
Irene grew up in Taylor, Michigan with her two brothers and four sisters, attending St. John’s Lutheran school and later graduating from Dearborn High School in 1944. Her teen years involved active participation in the Walther League youth group taking trips to St. Louis, Camp Arcadia, and northern Michigan. During her late teens and early twenties, she worked as a clerk at Taylor Township Hall, as a cashier at an office in Dearborn, and as a switchboard operator. She and her sisters and friends loved dancing and enjoyed going to dance halls (where she met Harvey) on the weekends.
She married Harvey Stevenson on October 18th, 1952, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Taylor Michigan. She and Harvey raised their three daughters while living in Taylor with her husband employed with Chrysler and later Clark Oil Refinery. During this time, she worked as a Voting Precinct Supervisor in the city of Taylor for many years. Also, in her adult years she was a member of the Ladies Aid and volunteered in the Church and school office where her children attended.
When Harvey retired in 1987, they relocated to Gladwin, Michigan where they expanded the old family cabin, which her dad had built in 1946, into a full-time residence. Irene spent some nights sleeping under the stars while the roof was reconstructed. They spent summers in Michigan and winters in Florida living in both Sarasota and Haines City. Their many travels included trips to Morocco, Iceland, England, Canada, and Hawaii. She was an AVID Tiger baseball fan; faithful watcher of The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Lawrence Welk. Another interest was working on the family genealogy, taking several trips to Salt Lake City and other genealogy centers.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Harvey Edward Stevenson, her siblings, Louise Sell, Kenneth Sell, Edith Sell Marl, Clara Sell Lange Chavis, Eleanor Sell Bravender; and by her son-in-law James Gibson. She is survived by her siblings, Evelyn Sell Wittig and Robert Sell, by her daughters, Gale Gibson, Lori Marl (Richard) and Linda Steinhardt (Tim), her 8 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; was loved by all whether family or friends and thought of as a substitute mom for many nieces and nephews.
Irene was always up for an annual “girls” trip to celebrate Gale and Linda’s October birthdays, traveling and shopping in various places in Michigan. Her strong faith led her to the local Lutheran church every Sunday. Even at her age of 95 she was still living on her own, playing games with the family, and was very active. She will be missed.
A funeral service will take place on December 3, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Gladwin, Michigan at 12 pm. Visitation will take place on December 3, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church from 10:30 until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church and Compassus Hospice of West Branch. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home-Gladwin Chapel.
