Irene Helen (Sak) Schroeder passed away quietly at her home on Friday, May 21, 2021. Irene was born on February 28, 1930, in Bridgeport, Michigan, where she was a lifelong resident. Born to Jerry and Elizabeth (Prebil) Sak, she was the sixth of eight children. Irene graduated from Saginaw High School. On June 17, 1950, she married Eugene J. Schroeder. They settled in Bridgeport and eventually built a house on her husband's family farm. Irene was always a hard worker. She began working at age 16 at Simon Brothers in Saginaw while also attending high school. Irene also spent many years as a waitress at the High Life Inn and several other local restaurants. She also worked at Carter's Children's Shop in Birch Run for 10 years, retiring in 1993. Never one to stay idle, Irene became an excellent seamstress proficient in making draperies, clothes, slipcovers, and quilts. In her later years she could be found puttering around her flower beds. Irene became very involved with her church. She was a member of the Bridgeport Community Church for 53 years serving in many capacities. Along with her husband, she helped create the church's Memorial Garden. They both served as deacons and ushers whenever asked. The Ladies' Guild was a special group of ladies who she so enjoyed working and worshiping with. Many of those special women have become lifelong friends. In 2015, Irene began a Prayer Quilt Ministry in which she and others created lap size quilts with ties on them. Whenever a member was ill, one of these quilts was brought out, displayed, and prayed over while tying a knot. It was then given to the ailing person "full of prayers" for their recovery. Irene was very proud of this ministry.