Irene Lamphear

LAMPHEAR - Irene Martha Rosell Lamphear, age 89, passed away Friday, January 11, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rollin Knapp Lamphear; grandson, Brent Baughan; sister, Barbara Wilkinson. Irene is survived by her children, Martha (Ron) VanHorn, Bruce (Linda) Lamphear, Maureen (Mark) Baughan, Heidi (Michael) Hart; grandchildren, Aaron (Rachel) VanHorn, Janelle (Tom) Troszok, Christanna (Kyle) Hansbarger, Corissa (Matt) Gilmer, Brenna (Andrew) Mell, Travis (Keli) Baughan, Derick Baughan, Bethany (Josh) Metivier, Emily Hart; great grandchildren, Abigail and Nolan VanHorn, Elliot Troszok, Kyleigh and Kaylyn Hansbarger, Vivienne and Bennett Gilmer, Landon Mell, Dexter and Ettalynn Baughan; sister, Imogene Klein; sister-in-law, Avis (VanAtta) Fauble. Irene drove bus for Sparta Area Schools for 27 years. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 15 at Plainfield Christian Church, 7255 Pine Island Drive, Belmont. Her family will greet relatives and friends 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday at Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Drive NE, Belmont and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Hospice or St. Jude's Childrens' Hospital. To share a photo, memory and sign the family's online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com. Born January 2, 1930 at home on the farm during a blizzard, Irene always described herself as a farm girl. She loved planting, harvesting, and even weeding. She canned and froze the vegetables and fruits that she harvested, and hated to waste anything! And, she always loved her flower gardens.**She started driving when she was 9 and got her drivers license when she was 14. As a teen, she hitch-hiked from Summer Camp in Brighton back to her home in Sparta and she and her Luther League friends took a trip to the Grand Canyon. She rode a donkey to the bottom of the Canyon.**Irene met Rollin at an Egypt Valley Grange square dance. After they married, they traveled (mostly by car) any time they could. Irene went to Alaska twice, Hawaii, Maine, Florida, Washington and almost every other state. Many times they pulled a travel trailer, but sometimes they just put chaise lawn chairs in the back of the truck and would sleep there. Whichever it was, they loved camping and seeing the country.**After retiring from driving bus for 27 years, Irene would chauffeur neighbors to doctors appointments. She sent thousands of cards and notes, wrote her Memories into a book, was a member of the Algoma Township Historical Society... and oh yes... Irene could break into song spontaneously at any time! To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Irene Martha Rosell Lamphear please visit our Sympathy Store.