Irene Edith Hokens

MATCHWOOD, Mich. — Irene Edith Hokens, 104, of Old M-28, Matchwood Township, died in peace Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at Marquette General Hospital after suffering a broken hip several days earlier.

She was born Aug. 26, 1910, in Matchwood, daughter of the late Leon and Maggie (Heinz) Osier.

She was once a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Topaz and later a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland. She was a member of the Ruth Society and the Bergland-Matchwood Historical Society, along with being the secretary of the Ontonagon County Commission on Aging.

At an early age Irene, along with her parents, moved to Topaz, where she attended the Topaz School through 11th grade and then attended the Bergland High School, where she graduated in 1928 as salutatorian.

She married Sigurd Hokens Sr. on Nov. 1, 1928, and they moved to Milwaukee for one year, until the Great Depression caused a job loss for Sig. They moved back to Matchwood Township, where they maintained a dairy and beef farm until their retirements. Sig also worked as a carpenter in various areas, while Irene had the responsibility for keeping the farm operating.

All people are unique, but Irene was certainly one of the most unique. Besides being a great homemaker, she was a partner in all aspects in running a farm. Hard physical labor was common in her life. Milking cows, handling hay bales, fixing fence and chasing cattle were all a part of her workday.

On top of this, she was a renowned cook. Young men hired in the summer during harvest time still came up to her decades later to praise her farm-type meals, “lots of it and delicious,” and on several occasions she supplied the venison taken with her .44-40 rifle. Even with all this work, she was able to enjoy flower and vegetable gardens, fishing, reading, picking berries, canning loads of vegetables, taking beautiful landscape photos and collecting historical information about Matchwood Township and the families who lived there.

Irene was known for a great many things, but the one she wanted to be known for most is that she was a “darn good farmer’s wife.”

Irene is survived by two daughters, Marguerite Barthels and Audrey Wagner; a son, Sig (Mary) Hokens Jr .; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sig Hokens Sr., in 1983; four sisters; one grand-daughter, Karen (Clarence) Cook; two sons-in-law, Carl Barthels and Louis Wagner; two granddaughter’s husbands, Charles (JoAnn) Jousma and Ron (Diane) Schultz; one grandson’s wife, Patty (Leon) Wagner.

Pallbearers are her six grandsons: Rory Hokens, Ryon Hokens, Brad Barthels, Leon Wagner, Mark Wagner and Neil Wagner.

The funeral will be Friday, Jan. 2, 2014, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland, with visitation from noon EST with funeral services following at 1 p.m. A luncheon will be served in the fellowship hall at the conclusion of services.

The Cane Funeral Home-Bruce Crossing Chapel is assisting the family.

Friends may view Irene’s obituary and leave messages of remembrance at canefuneralhome.com.