Irene Elizabeth (Tasklia) Forsell

We are saddened to announce that our dear mother Irene Elizabeth [Taskila] Forsell passed away peacefully on January 4, 2018 in Rockford, Michigan. Irene was born on May 29, 1926 in Stanton Township, Michigan. She graduated from Painsdale/Jeffers High School in 1944, and married Harold Leonard Forsell, a lifelong resident of Hancock, Michigan, in Dollar Bay, Michigan on January 3, 1948. Harold and Irene were married for sixty years until Harold’s passing in Hancock on March 24, 2008, after which Irene moved to Rockford to be close to her daughter.

Irene was the middle of three daughters born of Emil Arvid Taskila and Ellen Miriam Taskila of Toivola, Michigan. Her older sister, June Virginia Schoen has preceded her. The youngest, Jean Lorraine Larson resides in Moorpark, California.

Irene and Harold had two children, James H. Forsell, Ph.D., living in San Rafael, California with wife Karen A. Soroca, and Janine F. Bourassa, living in Rockford, Michigan with husband Terry Bourassa. Irene has four grandchildren; Sara Ann Forsell living in Calistoga, California, Erik James Forsell in Petaluma, California, Jaime Ellyn Bourassa in St. Louis, Missouri, and Aron Andrew Bourassa of Rockford, Michigan. She also has a number of nieces and nephews.

Irene loved working in her garden and writing in her journal. Later in life, she kept a menagerie of stuffed animals, all personally named, often with Finnish names. She was a loving and devoted mother. Her husband and children always came first, none of whom would have achieved the wonderful lives they all live(ed) without her lifelong support.

A private ceremony will be held in Hancock, Michigan sometime over the summer. Irene, you will always be a part of us. Rest in peace.