Imogene Post-Guthrie

Imogene was taken into the care of our Lord on February 24, 2012. Imogene was born to Kay William and Zora Mel Vada Bennett on August 1, 1924 in Lansing, Michigan. She was the final survivor of four sisters with whom she shared life-long friendships. A long-time resident of Lansing, she graduated valedictorian of the 1941 Lansing Everett High School class. She was a member of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church where through the years she served on the altar guild and enjoyed circle meetings. During the 1950/60's her daughters remember countless “basement projects” where we created items for church bazaars and fundraisers.

Imogene was a WWII bride who was married to Lovell “Pat” Post until his death in 1997. Following her 1975 retirement from United Automobile Workers - Local 724, she devoted herself to family and was a long-term caregiver to husband Pat, and then to her best friend Nita Frantz. In 2001 Imogene married Donald Guthrie, a retired Lansing Firefighter, and was blessed with another love in her life.

Imogene was an original northern Michigan woman who wore jeans before they were fashionable. All the summers of her life she dwelled on the shores of Dixon Lake, first in her father's hand-chinked log cabin and then in her own much loved cottage. The lake property is a family legacy from her parents and remains treasured by the entire family. It was there at the lake, she taught us to swim like fish, gave us horses to ride, campfires to roast marshmallow's over and live with the sound of waves and the warmth of the sun in our hearts. It was there she gave her daughters the gift of inquisitiveness and independence which shaped our lives. A wonderful homemaker and tireless hostess, she welcomed her family, their friends, horses and dogs, with the door thrown open wide, a full refrigerator and a gracious heart. We know Imogene's laughter will remain on the lake breezes as a joyful memory of a life well lived. She was our fun-loving friend, a role model and keeper of family customs. We'll always remember Mom wading into the lake with her cocker spaniels by her side, laughingly encouraging us to “jump in - the water's fine!”

She is survived by her daughters, Cynthia (Jerry) Sanderson, Brenda (Milo) Maneval of St. Johns, grandchildren, Rebecca (Terry) Stockton, Mark (Kym) McCutcheon, Joel (Kelly Bradish) Helmer, Todd Maneval, Tara (Ed) Paksi, Ty Maneval, Tazia (Renzie) Milarch, Tab (Amy) Maneval, 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, husband and first love, “Pat” Lovell Post and her second husband Donald Guthrie.

Funeral Services will be held, 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 27, 2012, at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Jim Lichtenberger officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening, from 6-8 p.m. at The Osgood Funeral Home, 104 East Cass Street, St. Johns, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans or Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes.