Irene (‘Rene) was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Enoch and Lillian Fyhr; Enoch was born and raised in Sweden and Lillian’s parents were Swedish immigrants. ‘Rene’s sister Elsie was seven years older. ‘Rene’s family lived in Oak Park and eventually moved to Wheaton, Illinois.  Since ‘Rene was such a smart little whip,  the Wheaton school system had her skip a grade. ‘Rene always felt that she was socially behind her classmates. She was skinny as a rail; her favorite lunch in high school consisted of cherry pie a la mode, with lots of vanilla ice cream. Ice cream continued to be a favorite food until the last days of her life.

‘Rene was the first person in her family to graduate from college. Wheaton College was located in her hometown, and since money was tight, she attended Wheaton College and lived at home. She loved music; she played piano and also sang. She planned on concentrating on music, but eventually decided it would be difficult to make a living. She majored in chemistry and was the only female chemistry major in her class. Chemistry was difficult for her, but she viewed it as a challenge. The more people said that she didn’t “look” like a chemistry major, the more determined she became. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1946.

In 1948, she got a job as a chemist at the Ethel Corporation in Oak Park, Michigan.  In 1948 she also married the love of her life, Joseph Larson. They moved to Dearborn, Michigan so Joe could attend college and law school at Wayne State University.

In 1956 ‘Rene and Joe moved to Farmington, Michigan and started a family.  ‘Rene decided that she wanted to devote herself to her children and home.  She loved being a mom and never regretted her decision to leave the professional world.  She had two more children and eventually she and Joe moved to Farmington Hills as Joe concentrated on his law career. In the 1970s, when the children were teenagers, ‘Rene and Joe became volunteer church youth group leaders. They opened their homes in Farmington HIlls and Pentwater to raucous, energetic teenagers. The youth group members fondly remember ‘Rene and Joe as dedicated, fun, empathetic, and engaged adults.

‘Rene always loved classical and symphonic music; she was an excellent soprano.  She joined Rackham Choir, which often sang with the Detroit Symphony, in the 1960s. In the 1980s she joined the professional choir Cantata Academy. Cantata toured Europe several times and ‘Rene joined the group for their trips to Germany, Italy, and Austria.  She was critical to the music program at her church during the ‘70s (where she was also elected the first female deacon of a Christian Reformed Church).

The 1980s also brought ‘Rene her first grandchild. She was the most dedicated grandmother imaginable.  She showered her four grandchild with unconditional love.  She role-played “Frances” (from the book Bedtime for Frances)  with her granddaughter. She attended countless band concerts, orchestra concerts, soccer games, musicals, baseball games, school talent shows, hockey games, and choir concerts. According to ‘Rene, her grandchildren were the most talented, adorable children in the world.

Besides music and her family, ‘Rene adored her Lake Michigan property. In 1968, ‘Rene and Joe bought 70 acres on Lake Michigan.  She named it “Fridhem,” which means “peaceful home” in Swedish.  She loved the woods, the beach, and the water. The family spent many summer days swimming, walking, sailing, and lazing on the beach talking, eating, and reading. There were bonfires on the beach that lasted long into the night as the starlight popped like sparks in the darkened sky. ‘Rene was the hub of the Larson family wheel; the spokes were her family members.  In the summer she brought the bounty of Oceana County home - asparagus, lettuces, strawberries, sweet cherries, sour cherries, corn, zucchini, tomatoes, squash - and made them into delectable meals. One grandson fondly remembers eating ‘Rene’s strawberry shortcake; he says eating shortcake piled high with fresh strawberries and whipped cream engenders fond memories of an idyllic summer childhood with his grandmother.

‘Rene always opened her home to her friends, as well as the friends of her children and grandchildren. The large dining room table at Fridhem often overflowed onto the porch. Everyone was welcome. On Christmas Eve, when she hosted an open-house Swedish smorgasbord, anyone who wanted to attend, could. If any of the kids or grandkids knew of a person who had nowhere to go for Christmas, ‘Rene would tell them, “Invite him to our party.” She never seemed flustered that five or ten extra people showed up.

‘Rene’s family is feeling a huge void from where her luminous presence radiated.  They can only hope that her love, feistiness, empathy, and joie de vivre lives on in them.