Ilean L. Raifsnider

Ilean L. Raifsnider had experienced many heartaches and joys during her lifetime. She had a sense of compassion for others and was always willing to do what she could to lend a helping hand. A woman of strong faith and conviction, she made every effort to do what was right and to stick to her beliefs. She loved her family deeply and always wanted what was best for them. Growing up on the family farm in the 1930s, Ilean learned about the importance of hard work and how to make do with what she had. They raised crops as well as horses and cows, and Ilean was as comfortable riding bareback on the plow horses as she was walking. Her community, Ensley Center, had a one-room schoolhouse which Ilean enjoyed attending. Ilean and her siblings filled the house with plenty of laughter and fun, along with their share of sibling rivalry. They looked forward to sledding in the winter, and always sent little sister, Dorothy, down the hill first to check out the slope. Even at a young age, Ilean stood out from her siblings as the only member of the family to attend Sunday School regularly. She enjoyed it very much and continued to develop her faith over the years. As a teenager, Ilean desperately wanted to learn how to play the piano, but the family didn't have nearly enough money needed for such a large purchase. She determined that she would earn the money herself, and spent countless hours on her hands and knees harvesting onions alongside German POWs who were brought to camps in Michigan during World War II. Her hard work paid off and eventually she was able to purchase the piano. She only had enough money for a few lessons, however, and she never did fulfill her dream. When it was time for Ilean to attend high school, she moved in with her aunt so that she could attend Howard City schools. As a young woman, she took a bold step and moved to Muskegon, rented a room, and found a job as a bookkeeper at Norge. On a double date with a friend, Ilean met a man named Gerald Iversen. She and Gerald were married in 1953 when Ilean was twenty-one years old. They had three wonderful children, and Ilean was very proud of Christie, Mitchell, and Anthony. She made sure Christie took piano lessons, providing her with the opportunity that she herself didn't have. There were moments of joy as well as those moments of panic that every parent dreads, such as the time Christie stepped on a yellow jacket nest. She came flying home on her bicycle on Mitch's seventh birthday covered with wasps. Ilean took it all in stride, stripping Christie on the spot and making mud packs to cover her many stings. She taught her children to be honest and to try to do what was right. When Mitch was a young boy, he talked Ilean into picking some apples from an orchard that they passed. Ilean only allowed them to pick what they could eat right then and they left a quarter nearby to pay for their indulgence. After twenty-nine years, the Iversen's marriage ended in divorce. It was a difficult time, but Ilean did what she always did, working hard and finding joy in the things she loved. She had several hobbies that she enjoyed including gardening, knitting, crocheting, and baking. She loved watching the hummingbirds that visited her home. Ever since those years growing up on the farm, she adored animals and had owned several dogs. When her precious shih tzu, Princess, died, she was deeply saddened and felt that she had lost a dear friend. Ilean crossed paths with a gentleman named Wayne Raifsnider a few times over the years, and later met him at Norge. They exchanged pleasantries now and again and then Wayne asked her out to dinner. From that invitation, their relationship blossomed into marriage and Ilean was thrilled to have found love again. The couple enjoyed traveling to many places with their friends, Bud and Dolly. Ilean always expressed to everyone how very lucky she was to have Wayne. Ilean had a heart for serving others. When someone was ill or had lost a loved one, she was the first to respond with a warm meal or whatever was needed, regardless of how she herself was feeling. During her long struggle with cancer, she remained faithful to her beliefs and was an encouragement to others in the face of her own difficulties. Wayne was tenaciously supportive of Ilean to the point where he would have sought after any "crazy whim" to help alleviate her pain and suffering. She leaves her loved ones with many sweet memories and the example of a woman who remained true to herself, put others first, and loved her family beyond measure.