Jean Catherine Lois L Freniere, November 02, 1940 — January 15, 2019

Jean’s Obituary Jean Catherine Lois LaFreniere, age 78, of Ionia passed away January 15, 2019, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Her constant companion, caregiver and special friend, Bruce DeGarmo, was at her side. Jeanie, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Floyd) LaFreniere, was born on Beaver Island, Michigan, on November 2, 1940, and proudly shared her love for the island and its Irish heritage with everyone she met.

Her love for the island was only surpassed by her love for her family, especially her great-nieces, Sarah (Sweet Pea) and Sabrina (Gremlin) Swartz; and her niece, Judy (Tom) Swartz. Her nephew, Edward (Julie) LaFreniere, the first of his generation, was near and dear to her heart as were his children. Her God son, Ryan John Bogus, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends brought joy to her life.

Jeanie was married to John Osmolinski in 1965 until he passed away in 1984. She remained close to stepson, Dave (Deb) Engebretsen; granddaughter, Lori; grandson, David; and five great-grandsons. She married Harry Frazer in 1991 and was widowed in 2010.

She was particularly close to stepson, Jeff Frazer. Jeanie’s life changed immeasurably when she was welcomed into the Jeff and Cindi Young family which included their children, Tyler Young, Jeni (Scott) Edwards, and grandson, Lain, who affectionately referred to Jeanie as “Grandma Sweets”. Jeanie was also welcomed with open arms by the extended DeGarmo family who she loved and appreciated.

Jeanie loved music and dancing and was famous for her Irish Jig. For more than two decades, she crafted beautiful needle-point calendars as Christmas gifts for family and friends. Jeanie loved Christmas so much she started putting up her decorations in October.

Her last Christmas was especially nice as she was able to visit with so much of her family. Jeanie was the proud matriarch of her family, having been preceded in death by her loving siblings: Mary Minor, Patrick LaFreniere, John LaFreniere, Margaret Ann Polhemus, Joe LaFreniere, and Isabel LaFreniere. Her long-time sisters-in-law, Lois LaFreniere and Marcia LaFreniere survive her.

Visitation for Jeanie will be on Monday, January 21, 2019, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Lake Funeral Home in Ionia with a luncheon to follow from noon until 2 p.m. at the Ionia Moose Lodge. Interment services will be this Summer at the Holy Cross Cemetery on Beaver Island. Online condolences may be made at www.

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