Irene Sak Stock, 95, was born on Dec 20, 1923, the seventh of nine children of Leon and Aniela Niekra Sak. Irene graduated from Lapeer High School (1942) attended Michigan State County Normal School of Teaching, later graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors Degree in Education. After WWII, On Jun 7, 1947, Irene was united in marriage to Frank J Stock of Lapeer; later, they enjoyed raising their four children, farming part time, while pursuing their careers, and enjoying their large extended family.
Irene was a dedicated teacher in her forty four year teaching career, beginning in one room schoolhouses at Webster and Harrington Schools, then teaching at Dryden Community Schools, and, for her last thirty years, at Lapeer Community Schools, teaching first grade at Maple Grove.
Irene leaves a meaningful, lasting legacy of teaching hundreds of children to read. From an early age, Irene was inspired to be a teacher and it was her life’s passion. Irene loved teaching, and always insisted that she would choose to be a teacher all over again. She thoroughly enjoyed being with children and animals, and especially in recent years, with her beloved dog, Shilo. Irene also loved music, dancing, the outdoors, gardening, and traveling. She was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a longtime member of MARSP, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Hospital Auxiliary and the former Kerr Travel Club.
Irene’s loving family includes children, Terry Stock of Lapeer, Cindy Stock (Ron) O’Brien of Tustin, Sally (James) Miller of Grand Rapids, Frederick (Corina) Stock of Rockford, MI; four grandchildren: Erik (Kim) Stock of Denver, CO, Christopher (Jessica) Stock of Washington, MI, Alison Miller of Grand Rapids, Samantha Miller of Chicago, IL; special friend and caregiver, Caroline (David) Stewart along with Caroline’s entire family of Lapeer. She is also survived by her dear, beloved brother, Ted, and sister in law, Barbara (Crawford) Sak, of Imlay City and many nieces and nephews.
Irene passed away Easter Sunday, Apr 21, in the loving circle of her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank in 1988; siblings and their spouses, Edward Sak, Stella/Joseph Selwa, Leona/ Frank Urban, Josephine/ L.T. Matthews, Loretta /Arthur Hepner, Raymond Sak, John/ Patricia Owen Sak, brother in law/ sister in law, Leo/ Marie Krakker Stock, Sister in law/brother in law, Helen Stock Esper/ Leo Esper,; nephews James Uban, niece/nephews Joan (Selwa)/ Don LaCroix, niece Gail Mathews Lawrence, niece in law, Mary Lou Urban (Thomas), nephew in laws, Mark Bosma (Amy Sak Bosma), Clyde Johnson (Mary Ann Mathews Johnsons), and Tomb Burch (Marilyn Stock Burch).
Irene was honored with a Memorial Mass at St Ann’s in Grand Rapids where she resided the last two and a half years. A rosary for Irene will be said at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home at 10:45 am on Sat, Apr 27, and friends may visit with the family until 12:30pm . A Rite of Committal burial service will be held at Mount Loretto Cemetery with Father Doc Ortman officiating at 1 pm on Sat.