Irene D. Yax
Big Rapids –Irene D. Dare Snider Yax, Age 88 of Big Rapids , went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009.
She was born October 28, 1921, in Big Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of John and Beatrice (Leonard) Dare.
On August 31, 1940 Irene married Martin J. Snider of Remus. They lived and worked in Detroit for several years until returning to Remus where she owned and operated the Dew Drop Inn Restaurant. Later Irene worked at Campbell’s Restaurant in Remus until beginning employment in the Food Service Dept. at Ferris State University. While at Ferris she took several classes in government and political science. This knowledge assisted her with being a better union steward and eventually president of the AFCME local 1609. Irene was always one to work effortlessly for peoples’ rights. She met Solon J. Yax at Ferris and they married on Aug. 28, 1972. After 21 years at Ferris she retired as a Food Service Supervisor. Irene also had an Avon business for 31 years always maintaining “President’s Club” status. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Remus where her children attended St. Michael’s School. In addition to raising her nine children she volunteered on school projects and events. In 1966 Irene moved to Big Rapids and became a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She dedicated her life to being the absolute best mother a child could ever hope to have. She taught her children, by example, to love God above all others and to always treat others as they would want to be treated. She instilled in them that all people were equal and deserved respect and courtesy and that honesty was of utmost importance. After retirement she and her husband Sol regularly visited area nursing homes.
Irene is survived by eight daughters, Jan (David) Bryant of Orlando, FL, Cricket Whetzel of Cantonment, FL., Pat Anger of Barryton, LaVina (Jim) Dice of Mecosta, Gidget Cady of Big Rapids, Marti (Lyle) Troupe of Big Rapids, Mary (Walley) Garcia of Cadillac, Bobbi (Larry) Landreth of Big Rapids, one daughter-in-law, Katherine Snider, stepdaughter, Beverly (Mike) Goben of Texas, stepdaughter-in-law, Dawn Yax of Ludington, plus several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Lenabelle Schoenborn and Ruth Tribe both of Big Rapids, sister-in-law Frances Athens of Gaylord, brother-in-law, Albert (Lue) Snider of Remus and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Irene was preceeded in death by her first husband, Martin Snider, second husband , Solon Yax, son, Martin “Lucky” Snider, two son-in-laws, Dick Anger and Bruce Whetzel, one granddaughter, Kelly Garcia, five brothers, Bill, Harry, George, Clifford and Eldie Dare, one sister, Betty Mursch and one stepson, John Yax.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 2, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Big Rapids, Fr. Lam T. Le, celebrant. Visitation will be Tuesday, 5-8 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at the Mohnke Funeral Home. Family will greet friends at the church from 12-1:00 prior to mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, Big Rapids
5 Responses to “Irene D. Yax”
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I am so very sorry. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Joan and Family
May God be with you all in your time of sorrow.
Mary and Walley, Gidget, Bobbi and Dawn,
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to out to you and your families in this time of sorrow.
Pat Wales-Price
Steve Wales II and family
Cindy Wales-Schrieber and family
Christopher Reynolds
Courtney Morris
We have had the pleasure of knowing Irene for the past 15 years or so, she is without a doubt the absolute best mother any child could hope for, and it showed in her wonderful family. They are the best as well. We’ll always be warmed by her wonderful smile, soft demeanor, easy laugh and caring soul. Heaven is a better place with her there now, and her legacy of wonderful girls will continue to make the earth a better place because of her teachings, Leadership and love.Tom and Linda Stevenson (Castle PInes, Colo)
MY GOOD-BYE TO IRENE
What a beautiful gift God gave us when Irene was born into this world. She was a loving and caring mother and the best mother-in-law you could ask for. Many stories where shared this weekend by family members. The early years were difficult at times, as in one period in her life; she worked three jobs to put food on the table and clothes on her children. Since knowing Irene for over 36 years, there were many wonderful memories to recount. I would like to share a couple of those priceless times.
1. It was well-known that Irene did not like to travel too far from home, but every time Mary and I would invite mom to go with us to Florida to visit her two oldest children, she’d always say yes. Family was very important to her. One trip in particular, we were going to Florida. Our friends Tom and Linda Stevenson decided to go with us. Because it was a long trip, we decided to take two days. So some place in Georgia, we got a room for the night. Our friends also brought their dog Dolly with them. Dolly was a little white bichon that weighed about nine pounds. We were hungry and decided to go out to get a bite to eat. Irene said she was tired and was not hungry. Now it was also known that Irene loved animals, especially dogs and cats. Since, she was not going out, she volunteered to watch Dolly. Our friend Linda told Irene that if Dolly got restless to give her a couple of carrots, which was her favor treats. You see, Dolly liked food and would go into her patented begging mode as long as someone had food around. When we returned from dinner, the clear plastic bag of carrots was empty. Irene had given Dolly the whole bag of carrots. Dolly’s little stomach was testing its boundaries. When Linda asked Irene why she gave her so many carrots, Irene smiled and simply responded by saying, “She wanted them.” It was later told by our friends that throughout the night Dolly pooped orange. When we reached our destination, Irene told us she was missing her favorite housecoat and believed she left it in the motel. After several calls to the motel housekeeping the favorite housecoat was not to be found and this bother Irene throughout her stay. It wasn’t until we returned home, that the missing housecoat she worried about was actually hanging on her bathroom door. She didn’t say anything, but had that beautiful smile on her face.
2. The second memorable trip was on February 10, 2007 when Irene went on a cruise. There were 31 that sail that day which included her nine children. I’m not sure when Irene and her nine children were all together at the same time, but this trip will always be one of the most gratifying for her. For everyone that sailed that week they will cherish their own special memories. My favorite memory was on February 14th, Valentine’s Day.
When we signed up for the cruise we asked if we could be seated close together for the evening dining. They accommodated us by seating us at three tables, with her children scattered around them. But on February 14th, we made a special request that Irene and her nine children be able to dine together at the same table. You see a mother’s love for her children can never be replaced and to have the opportunity to dine with all her children was a wonderful memory for mom.
3. There are many things I will miss about Irene but I think I’d rather tell you what I’m thankful for:
a. I’m thankful for the times we would sit down and discuss politics and current events.
b. I’m thankful for her beautiful smile and the sparkle in her eyes when family came to visit.
c. I’m thankful for her love of chocolate covered cherries, butter pecan ice cream, dark Dove chocolates, fried liver and onions, and the two drops of coffee that went into her hot cup of water.
d. I’m thankful for the happiness I brought her when I decorated her Christmas tree.
e. I’m thankful for the way she squeezed my hand when she didn’t want you to go.
f. I’m thankful for her down to earth character and common sense.
g. I’m thankful for the lessons in life that she shared with all of us.
h. I’m thankful for the sound of her voice when she would say my name.
i. I’m thankful for the times she spent looking and reminiscing at the family pictures.
j. I’m thankful for the love she shared with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
k. I’m thankful for her faith in God.
l. I’m thankful for her wish that her children find faith and happiness.
m. And most of all, I’m thankful for her making this world a better place because she was here.
She we’ll always have a special place in my heart.
Walley Garcia
12/01/2009