Irene Gest, 91

Upon her last breath Feb. 27, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital emergency room in Kalamazoo, she was reunited with her heavenly family: her parents, Burr and Erma Howland; a sister, Wilma Carr; her husband, Joseph Gest; and a son, Larry Gest.
Loved ones left to celebrate her life are sisters Wanda Kosmerick and Sharon (Jerry) Carpenter,; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Ron Maystead; grandchildren Jodi (Scott) Thurow, Connie (Tinsley) Nelson, Terri Vallance, Joe Gest and Rachelle (Jim) Nabozny; and the “greats,” Logan (Kennedy), Austin (Alyssa), Owen, Evie, Ashley, Abbie, Jaelyn, Logan and Kennedy.
Irene was an energetic, hard-working, independent, fun-loving, helpful, caring person. At rest, she would be playing solitaire, doing jigsaw puzzles or crocheting one of her many afghans.
She took pride in the family farm. Fortunately, she was able to continue living there on her own.
Irene put “life” into life. In recent weeks, she was quoted as saying, “I’ve had a good life, lots of fun and many happy memories.”
She had chosen to be cremated, with no services. If you wish to honor her memory, please direct memorials to Burr Oak Fire Department, 208 W. Front St., Burr Oak, MI 49030.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.