Irene Margaret Hohener, age 89, passed away peacefully at Sunrise of Cascade in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 8th, 2023 from Dementia.
Irene was born March 4th, 1934 in Oakland, California to Ernest Hohener of Switzerland and Ilse Adler Hohener of Germany. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ernie Hohener. Irene is survived by her youngest brother Stephen Hohener of Cedar Mtn, NC; her three children (and their spouses): Bradley (Joyce) Stine of Hawthorne, CA; Karen Adado of Grand Rapids, MI; Michelle (David) Huber of St. Charles, MO; their father Joe Stine of Monterey, CA; and her three grandchildren: Nicholas (Sadie) Adado of Grand Rapids, MI; Allison and Elaine Huber of St. Charles, MO.
Irene graduated from San Jose State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She became life-long friends with many of her Alpha Omicron Pi sorority sisters. Irene had a gift for gab and made many dear friends during her lifetime.
After the birth of her children, Irene was a stay-at-home Mom for many years. She volunteered as both a Cub Scout den mother and a Campfire Girls/Bluebird troop leader. She was a whiz on her Singer sewing machine, an exceptional cook, and loved to make her garden grow.
Once the kids were in school, Irene was employed as an Administrative Assistant and Trade Show Coordinator at Badger Meter Electronics in Richmond, CA. She later worked as an Executive Secretary at Kikkoman in San Francisco, where designing Japanese floral arrangements for the reception desk was one of her favorite duties. Irene’s final position at Rossmoor Medical Center allowed her to spend time with her own mother during Ilse’s final years.
Irene was a creative and active person who loved interior decorating. She refinished and upholstered furniture, including several items her children still own today. While living in Walnut Creek, CA she became a member of the Orinda Hiking Club and volunteered in the rose garden at Heather Farm Community Park.
Irene instilled a deep appreciation for nature in her children and grandchildren and loved to visit National and State Parks. An interest in other cultures led Irene to travel the world, visiting China, New Zealand, Greece, Mexico, Canada, England, Italy, France, Hungary, Germany and Switzerland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America, at dementiasociety.org. Irene’s frontotemporal dementia with primary progressive aphasia ultimately robbed her of language, and the ability to do most tasks of daily living.
In lieu of a memorial service, the family has dedicated a Persian Ironwood tree in her honor at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. If you visit Grand Rapids, MI in the future, please look for Irene’s tree in the English Perennial Garden.
One Response
We are so sorry to hear of your Moms passing. It sounds like she truly lived an adventurous, interesting and blessed life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Henry & Nancy