Irene A. Theisen Fedewa

Irene Theisen Fedewa, 98, went home to God surrounded by the deep love of her family, the comforting staff at Tendercare Nursing Home and Heartland Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at St. Joseph The Worker Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding. She will be interred next to her first husband Walter Theisen in Calvary Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home, 2300 S. Lincoln Rd., on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Academy Foundation or St. Joseph The Worker School. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or church. Irene Anna was born Dec. 11, 1911, in Beal City, the eldest child of Will and Josephine (Vogel) Pung. Six days later, with her grandparents William J. Pung and Anna Vogel as sponsors, she was baptized by Father Zugelder at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. She attended St. Philomena School until, when Irene was in 9th grade, her mother died shortly after giving birth to her fifth child. As was the custom at that time, Irenes education was interrupted; her help was needed at home. Years later, at age 51, she proudly earned her diploma. She, by that time, had long since received the sacraments of Holy Communion (June 15, 1919) and Confirmation (July 8, 1919). She had also joined Walter Theisen in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony (June 30, 1934) all at St. Philomena Church, now St. Joseph The Worker Church. Their children are Rosilyn (Bill) Buschle, Richard (Bonnie) Theisen, Jodi (Doug) Hura, and Larry (fiance, Jackie Wills) Theisen. After Walts death in 1968, Irene became reacquainted with widower and childhood friend, Ed Fedewa. They were married at Sacred Heart (July 10, 1970) and Irene welcomed four loving step-daughters into her life: Geri (Jerry) Bierschbach, Sharon Fedewa, Linda (LaVern) Yuncker, and Connie (Larry) Corriveau. Irenes friends and family will remember her as a woman of many interests and talents. She was known as Mt. Pleasants Doll Lady in the 1940s and 50s; she made hundreds of dolls of all sizes and shapes, but local children may fondly remember her trademark Upside-down Dolls . Over the years, she dressed bridal parties, made dance costumes as well as liturgical vestments and garb for nuns, priests and missionaries. Irene donated to church bazaars generously as often as needed. Upon retirement she began to quilt and from the mid 70s until 2005, she made over 300 beautiful keepsakes. When the need arose, she sewed as a livelihood; always it was a joyous creative activity and we are the beneficiaries. Irene loved to learn; a studious child, she could often be found with a favorite book nearby. Her penchant for reading enhanced her writing skills. She has left, for those who come after her, heartfelt poems about her family, the seasons, and ordinary life seen through the eyes of a young girl. She submitted, and had printed in local newspapers, several exciting, touching, well-written stories from past days on the farm her parents built. Irene continued to devour books until early 2010 when failing health and eyesight disallowed this pleasure. Having been born into a musical family, Irene took particular joy singing in the choir with her father and siblings; there was always a piano in her home which contributed to many hours of pleasure. She loved to sing the old songs while dishes were being washed and dried. She could be heard at the piano, singing and playing after her children were in bed. Ed Fedewa was an accordion player and upon retirement they liked to entertain at senior facilities. More recently she looked forward to singing along with Joes Band (Joe Gostola) at Tendercare. Travel was one of her fulfilled dreams in later life; she and Ed saw most of Europe, the Middle East Holy Lands, and most of the continental U.S. including Alaska. She was always ready for the next trip! Irene was a life member of Sacred Heart Catholic Daughters and St. Joseph Altar Society, generously contributing time, talent and treasure. Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend will be remembered with gratitude each time we admire a pretty blue sky with fluffy clouds; when we warm ourselves in one of her lovingly crafted quilts; when we hug a doll created by her; when we continue to nurture perennial plants that have made their way from her garden to ours; when we say the Rosary; when we connect ourselves to the beautiful stained glass windows at St. Joseph The Worker that list the Theisen and Pung families; and especially when we hear the bells from that same church, crafted in Germany and installed by her ancestors, that called her to Mass so many times. She has left us a rich legacy. In addition to her husbands, Walt and Ed, Irene was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy (Pat) Finnerty; brothers, Bernard, Harry (Edwardine Tilmann), Steve (Rosemary Engler); also Walts sisters, Rosaleen and Viola; and his brothers, Clifford, Elmer, Frank, Howard, and Roy Theisen. Along with all her children and step-children, she is survived by their offspring, including 22 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren, each of whom had a special place in her heart. Her survivors include two beloved sisters-in-law, Blanche Pung and Eloise Theisen; 10 Godchildren; and many cherished nieces and nephews, especially Sandy (Mike) Baldino and Sharon (Pat) McCracken.