Irwin Jaehnig
April 13, 1939 — October 23, 2009
Irwin M. "Mort" Jaehnig
DeWitt, MI
Age 70, passed away Friday, October 23, 2009 after a courageous battle with small cell carcinoma. Mort was born April 13, 1939 in Ripley, MI, the youngest son of Ben and Elizabeth (Campbell) Jaehnig. He was a graduate of Hancock High School, Class of 1957, attended Suomi College, captain of the 1960 Suomi varsity basketball team, and the Lettermen's Club. He married Elizabeth (Bettie) Grace of L'Anse, MI on July 31, 1965 at Sacred Heart Church, L'Anse, MI. Mort worked in the Upper Pennisula for many years, moved to Lansing in 1966 when he joined the Michigan Department of Transportation, retiring as a Senior Inspector in 1998 after 32 years of service. He was a devoted member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Lansing, a member of the Knights of Columbus and strong supporter of Right to Life. Mort was a dedicated volunteer for the St. Vincent DePaul Society and enjoyed volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He enjoyed his past-times of woodworking, gardening, swimming with his grandkids, traveling and most of all his years growing up on Lake Superior. He loved spending time in the Upper Peninsula's Copper Country and visiting his family and friends living there. Above all else, Mort loved his family. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Ethel, Charlotte, and Eleanor; brother, Fred. Mort is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elizabeth (Bettie); children, Xan (Steve) Swailes of Grand Rapids, Frank (Suzanne) of Lansing, John of Howell and James (Amy) of Holt; 10 grandchildren, Olivia, Jacob, Andrew, Sophia, Emma, Liza, Kinleigh, Matthew, Mara and Benjamin; sisters, Elizabeth (Bob) Howells, Mary Bray and Barbara Curnow; mother-in-law, Elsie Grace; many nieces and nephews also survive.. The family will receive friends Monday from 4-8 p.m. at the Palmer, Bush and Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel, where a scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, L'Anse, MI with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the Mass. Mort will be laid to rest in the Evergreen Cemetery, L'Anse. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to Right to Life or St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Mary Cathedral. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.palmerbush.com The Jacobson Funeral Home of L'Anse is also assisting tne family.