Irene M. Lejins

LEJINS, Irene M. Of Kalamazoo Passed away on Sunday evening, February, 24, 2008. Mrs. Irene Lejins was born in Lestene, Latvia, on June 17, 1922, the daughter of Ansis and Matilda Biezais Ligeris. During WWII Irene fled from Latvia and made her way to Germany where she spent five years within a displaced person's camp. It was in that displaced person's camp that Irene met and married her husband, Romans, who preceded her in death in 1976. Then in 1951 Romans, Irene, and daughter Ilze traveled to the U.S. settling in Sherwood & Union City, Michigan. Several years passed before Romans and Irene, along with their children, moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Soon after Irene began working for Jolly Kids Togs but later retired from Beach Products. Irene was a member of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kalamazoo. Irene enjoyed reading, gardening, bird watching, playing cards, and being with her family and friends. Irene was dearly loved by her children: Ilze Michael Korb of Lake Orion; Raimonds Lejins of Kalamazoo; and Anda Boodt of Portage. Irene had seven grandchildren: Jeffrey Bernadette Korb; Steven Jennifer Korb; Wendy Lester Brown; Ryan Lejins; Kelsey Aron Virden; Kerrie and Scott Boodt. Irene also presently had seven great-grandchildren: Darian and Alexandria Korb; Ashley and Nathan Korb; Madison, Zoey and Riley Brown with an expected addition of an eighth great-grandchild for early this summer. Irene is also survived by her sister Lilija Edward Gold of England, various nieces and nephews in Latvia and in the U.S. Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, with Rev. Biruta Puike and Rev. Leons Viksne officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 6-8 PM on Friday and from 1:00 PM until the time of services on Saturday at the funeral home. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church.