Irene E. Peterson

Irene E. Peterson, age 98, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Horizon Senior Living in West Branch, MI. She had lived in West Branch since 1949, formerly of Cadillac, MI. Irene was born to Joseph and Mary (Eppley) Kirkwood in Zanesville, OH on April 25, 1916. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Zion Rose Chapter of Eastern Star #117 in West Branch, past Worthy Matron, and the Grand Committee Woman of Matthew of the Monroe Chapter. Irene retired from the West Branch Rose City area schools where she was employed in food service. Irene was very community minded. One of her favorite activities was peeling potatoes for the Ogemaw County Fair with her Eastern Star Chapter members. Irene’s mother and grandmother taught her how to quilt at a young age, spending many hours quilting by kerosene lamps. Her quilts were entered into the Hospice of Helping Hands quilt shows where they often took first place.

Irene is survived by several cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dwight “Pete” Peterson in 1993, and brothers, Ronald and Robert Kirkwood.

Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Sunday, April 26, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with an Eastern Star service at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be on Monday, April 27, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Tim Dibble will officiate. Interment will follow at the Brookside Cemetery.

Memorial Contribution may be made to the First United Methodist Church in West Branch.