Irene Trainer-Fradet

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Irene Trainer-Fradet lived life to the fullest each day. She was a devoted wife and nurturing mother whose family was her greatest source of pride and joy. Irene was a passionate woman, which also meant that she could be opinionated, yet she was easy going when she was around people she felt comfortable with. Never one to focus on what she had, she centered her days on loving those around her above all else. Although she will be deeply missed, Irene’s memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.

When WWI ended in 1918, America was recognized as a world leader for the first time. With renewed fervor we were poised for greatness. Innovation came to life, and with it came inventions like the radio, the washing machine and refrigerator, and motion pictures in both color and sound. With more affordable cars thanks to the assembly line, we were able to go places we had never been before, and with Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh exploring the skies the world of flight exploded like never before. During this exciting time a young couple from Southwest Michigan was experiencing an exciting time in their own lives as they were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their third child. The big day finally arrived on November 22, 1923, when John Ray and Rose Margaret (Smith) Johnson welcomed a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home. Irene was the middle of six children in her family and was raised in the family home alongside her siblings. Her father worked as a trucker while her mother was a homemaker. The Johnson family was given a tough pill to swallow with the death of Irene’s mother when Irene was nine years old. Irene’s father later remarried a woman named Lois VanBuren Spalla. Irene was a student at Kalamazoo schools until the seventh grade.

Life was forever changed for Irene when she met a young man who stole her heart. His name was Herman “Chuck” Trainer, and they met at Silver Star Roller Rink. After dating for a time the couple found themselves in love. With a desire to establish a life together they were united in marriage. Together they were blessed with the births of twins, John and Clyde. In 1973 Irene was deeply saddened with Chuck’s sudden death.

Brighter days were in store for Irene when she began dating a man named Ron Fradet whom she knew because she was friends with his wife prior to her death. Their first date occurred when he invited her to a family reunion since she already knew almost the entire family. Just three weeks later they were married in November of 1979. A few years later, Irene’s happiness turned to sadness with the death of her son, John, in 1985.

Having spent her entire life in the Kalamazoo and Portage areas, Irene was usually one to be busy. She worked at a variety of different jobs until retiring later in life. Irene enjoyed bingo, but once bingo became boring she was on to the casinos. She could usually be found playing the penny and quarter slots at FireKeepers, which was her favorite casino. Irene did some traveling including a trip to Hawaii and riding all around the country on the back of Chuck’s motorcycle when he was alive. She was a good cook, which her family appreciated, and most of her meals included some kind of potato dish. When she went out for dinner Irene loved Coney Island hot dogs. Country Western was the type of music she enjoyed most.

When reflecting on the life of Irene Trainer-Fradet we are reminded that true happiness is found not in what we have, but that it is in the moments we share with our family and friends that we are richly blessed. She was thrilled to witness her family tree blossom to include children and grandchildren who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Irene could be a bit reserved until she got to know you, and it has been said that one had to work hard to earn her trust. She was a dear woman who will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Irene Trainer Fradet died on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. Irene’s family includes her son and daughter-in-law, Clyde and Linda Trainer of Schoolcraft; grandchildren, Steven & Dennis Trainer of Portage and Laura Trainer of Waterford Twp., MI; and many nieces and nephews. Irene was preceded in death by her first husband, Herman C "Chuck" Trainer; her second husband, Ron Fradet; son, John E. Trainer; and siblings, Ethyl Harvey, Frank & Bill Johnson as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 25, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage (269-344-5600). Please visit Irene’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to Hospice Care of Southwest MI, Kalamazoo, MI.