Jorene Baier

Jorene Baier leaves her family with the wonderful gifts of being a strong role model and an exceptionally committed person to the community she loved. Known for her sincere generosity and always putting others first, Jorene would do anything to help others in need. She treasured the time she spent with her family and was immensely proud of each and every one of them. She will be deeply missed by her special friends and family.

Reflecting on the year 1943, the Pentagon, considered to be the world’s largest office building was completed and America was rationing canned meats, butter, cheese, and cooking oil to make up for shortages. Although the nation was in the midst of WWII, Peter and Billie (Reynolds) Nasif welcomed home their only child, Jorene, on October 10th, in Cheboygan, Michigan. Her birth brought much hope and happiness to challenging times.

Jorene lived a typical childhood of the times. Her father worked as a car dealer and her mother was a homemaker. Jorene was active as a young adolescent and fell in love with cheerleading in high school. Social by nature, she balanced her time with her friends and her job at the popular, local Profitts Family Drive-In. Luckily for Jorene, with her dad owning a car dealership, she always had a nice car to cruise around town. Graduating with the Class of 1961 from Cheboygan High School, she set off for the world of work. During this time, she met Jim, the man who would steal her heart forever! He asked her out to the drive-in for their first date and the rest was history! At the time, she was working at Roger’s Jewelry Store. They dated for a few years before joining in marriage on the hot summer day of August 14, 1965, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cheboygan. Jorene and Jim honeymooned at the beautiful Yellowstone National Park. Together they raised two wonderful daughters, Jamie and Johnna.

They moved their family a few times over the course of their years together. Starting out in Munising where Jim was teaching, they later moved to Garden City East High School in the Detroit suburbs for a year before settling down in Oscoda in 1968. They loved the quiet, small-town life of living up north. Jorene later co-owned Ahead of Time Hair Salon, with another partner in town. She loved to visit with her clients and enjoyed the extra spending money to support her shoe-buying habit. Animal lovers, she and Jim always had dogs around the house to entertain the family. She also enjoyed spending time taking painting classes and doing crafts. Each and every holiday, she displayed her latest works of art, especially at Christmas time! Jorene was never one to sit idle, she always had to be busy doing something!

When the kids were grown and life was slowing down, Jorene took the opportunity to enjoy many of life’s simple pleasures. She spent time sitting on the beach, reading, and traveling with the women from her adult tap dancing class! They shared many fond memories traveling together and having girls’ weekends! Once, as distant as Mexico, as well as hot air ballooning in the deserts of Arizona! She and Jim both enjoyed traveling as well as enjoying the local inland lakes. She favored Cedar Lake where they would take their pontoon out for rides and loved going tubing down the Au Sable River. Jorene loved to spend time outdoors and soak up the sun! No matter how her day ended up, she always started it with a visit to the local chapel at Wurtsmith Air Force base (that had closed in 1993) or her local Catholic church on the shores of Lake Huron. There was no doubt that above all else, her faith life was important to her. Although she struggled with many health issues throughout her later years, she leaned on her strong and enduring faith to pull her through life’s greatest challenges. Jorene made many lasting friendships from her faith community.

She and Jim had a rich collection of memories. They enjoyed playing cards, eating out at the local Ma and Pa places, and going to the movies. Jorene especially loved movies with Robert Redford. Date night was normally a good steak dinner and a show! Their hearts were truly blessed when they welcomed grandchildren into their lives. Jorene and Jim were always interested in attending their many activities and celebrating their special events. They especially cherished playing games with them and helping make Christmas cookies. In the past year and a half, she and Jim moved into the home of their daughter, Jamie and her family, as Jorene’s health began to decline. They are forever grateful for Jamie and John’s tender care and the sacrifices made to her family. Known to be feisty and speak her mind at times, Jorene always wanted the best for her family. Sadly, she is gone. May the warm memories of the years they shared together endure in the hearts of her loved ones forever.

Jorene Baier, age 76, of Mattawan, formerly of Oscoda, Michigan, died at her daughter’s home in Mattawan on March 29, 2020. Members of her family include her husband of fifty-five years, Jim Baier; two daughters: Jamie (Dr. John) Lawlor and Johnna (Mike) Makuch; and four grandchildren: David, Kate, Petra and Myah. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Oscoda. Please visit Jorene’s personal web page at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society. Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.