Irmgard “Irmy” Black

Bath, Michigan

Irmgard Dorothea (nee Feyerabend) Black was born in Saranac, Michigan, on August 30, 1923, three months after her parents, Herman and Marie (Roth) Feyerabend, arrived in the United States from Germany. She died after a very brief illness on Wednesday, January 14, 2015.  Irmy attended the one-room Appleton School near Wacousta for elementary grades, and obtained her GED from the Bath School District in 1972.  She married Benard Black, of Woodland, MI, on February 25, 1945, and they were inseparable until his death in June 1990.

Surviving are her children: Mary (Ron) Junttonen; Karen (Karl) Kuenzel; Kenneth (Leah) Black; Don Black; Susan (Fred) Clark; James (Nina) Black; Steven (Sandy) Black; Diane (Michael) Waldo. Also surviving: grandchildren Rachel (fiance John Duplechain) Clark; Andrew Clark; Kathryn Peplau; Rachel (Matt) DeBar; Elizabeth Waldo; three great-grandchildren; sister Rosemarie Connell; many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children, as well as brothers-in-law Richard Black and Arnold Currey; sisters-in-law Eunice Black and Janice (Thomas) Glazier. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four sisters, and one brother.

Irmy was a housewife, mother, helpmeet on the family farm in Bath Township, maker of millions of chocolate chip cookies and the baker of “the best white bread in the history of white bread.”   Her love of her children and her church, plus her wider circle of family and friends, was always paramount.  She excelled at embroidery and other needlecrafts, was an enthusiastic gardener, and had a love of music, always encouraging her family in their pursuit of vocal and instrumental music.  She was a lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Lansing, where she sang for many years in the Senior Choir and was active in the Missionary Society, the Special Meals and Kitchen Committees, and wherever a pair of willing hands was needed.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 18, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel and at Emanuel Lutheran Church from 9-10 a.m. on Monday, January 19.  The funeral will be held at 10AM at Emanuel Lutheran Church, with burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Pastor Paul Lindloff officiating.  Memorial gifts are suggested to Emanuel Lutheran Church, 1001 N. Capitol, Lansing, for the Sanctuary 100th Anniversary Fund or the General Fund.

The funeral service will be live-streamed at this address: www.Livestream.com/emanuelfirsttv

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10 Messages to “Irmgard “Irmy” Black

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Bakul and Yogini Shah
January 16, 2015 at 8:33 am

Mrs. Black (and Mr. Black) was my “host family” when I first came to US in September 1970. They participated in MSU’s host family program for foreign students. Ever since they were my best friends. I left MSU in April 1975. At every Christmas from 1975 to 2014 (39 years) she wrote to me a hand-written letter. At every Christmas, Yogini and I eagerly waited for her letter because that was very special. Christmas will never be the same. We will always cherish her friendship, love and kindness. We will miss her.

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Pamela Fabus and Clinton County Farm Bureau
January 16, 2015 at 8:36 am

We are sorry for your loss and may the special memories of her warm your heart. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

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Dhananjai-Hansa Shah
January 16, 2015 at 4:21 pm

Mr. and Mrs. Black were our host family too. Over the years, we have drifted apart but have never forgotten the Black family. We will treasure the times we spent together, her memories, and her love and kindness. She will be truly missed.

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Elaine Kuenzel
January 16, 2015 at 7:57 pm

My sincere sympathy to all the Black family including my Daughter-in-law Karen. I considered Irmy a good friend and though she is gone from us, I know she is seeing Jesus Face to face.

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Tony & Carol Cruz
January 16, 2015 at 8:36 pm

Diane & Michael & Elizabeth: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the years of special memories comfort you in this time of sorrow.

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Dennis A Butler
January 17, 2015 at 10:04 pm

Jim, Sorry to read of your mom’s passing. She and I talked about pie making at your house to great length the time I met her. She was very youthful and made good conversation. It is good that she had a long and fruitful life. Still it is always a sad event when you loose one so dear. God bless her and all your family.

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Joan Winans
January 18, 2015 at 1:26 pm

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. The staff from the DeWitt Pharmacy- Patty, Barb, Kim, Desi, Lucille and Joan.

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Olga DuBois
January 19, 2015 at 10:44 am

Beautiful service. Thank you for sharing.

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william garcia
February 13, 2015 at 4:18 pm

Lamento su gran perdida. no hay dolor mas grande que perder a una madre y no hay bendicion mas grande, que haber tenido una madre. Dios los Bendiga

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Karen (Black) Kuenzel
March 23, 2015 at 10:35 am

Translation of William Garcia’s message. William was a member of the ELS Mission church in La Cisterna (Santiago, Chile) when Karl was a Missionary there. When he learned of Mom’s passing, he posted the following: “I am so sorry for your great loss. There is no greater sorrow than to lose a mother and there is no greater blessing than to have had a mother. God bless you all.”

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