FRANKENMUTH (WWJ) - Irene Bronner, matriarch and originator of Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, has died at 95.
Bronner died Sunday, Oct. 16, according to her obituary, joining her late husband, Wally, who died 14 years prior in 2008.
"Irene was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her faith and her family were foremost in her life," her obituary said.
"Irene was an essential part of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, and also served on the Board of Directors and in many other roles."
The idea of Bronner's first came about in 1945 when Wallace “Wally” Bronner began a small business painting signs out of his parents' basement, the store's origin story states. Wally and Irene married in 1951.
By the time the couple constructed their first building in 1954, they "were definitely in the spirit of Christmas – half of their sign shop was dedicated to Christmas decorations," the Bronner's website added.
The store eventually outgrew its original three buildings and moved to 45-acre tract of land in 1977 where the current Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland now stands.
Over two million guests come to Bronner's annually and it has become one of Michigan's most well-known landmarks to people across the world.
Irene previously taught at Frankenmuth Public Schools and in Buena Vista before joining her husband in running the self-proclaimed "World's Largest Christmas store."
According to her obituary, Irene was a member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and a previous member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hemlock, Mich. She served as a member of the St. Lorenz Evangelism team for over 30 years and was a member of the Mixed Choir for 40 years.
Among her many roles, Irene also volunteered at the Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth playing piano for monthly sing-alongs for over 34 years. Irene also severed as a past president of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Guild and served as Saginaw Valley Zone Walther League President.
She was also greatly involved with the Wallace and Irene Bronner and Family Charitable Foundation, which was established 1966. According to their website, the foundation "continues to reach the goals of relieving poverty and distress and advancing education and Christianity."
Funeral services for Irene Bronner are 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, 1030 W. Tuscola St.