Iris Lavynne (Barsema) Persenaire went to be with her Lord on January 18, 2024. Iris was born on February 10, 1936, to Herman and Alvina (Sterenberg) Barsema. She grew up in Muskegon, Michigan and graduated from Calvin College with a degree in elementary education. While studying at Calvin, she met her beloved husband of 65 years, Paul Persenaire.

Iris and Paul moved to Lansing, Illinois and lived there for nearly 50 years. They were members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church where Iris served as custodian for many years. Iris is lovingly remembered by her children Timothy and Mary Persenaire, Cynthia DeBoer, Kenneth and Kelli Persenaire, Daniel and Ann Persenaire; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Steven Persenaire, Sarah Persenaire, Rebecca and David Morrissey (Ella and Madelyn), Joel DeBoer and Grace Nelson, Ryan and Kerry Gamble (Oona), Philip DeBoer and Hannah Yamuni, Kenneth Persenaire, Kyle and Joanna Persenaire (Sutton and Jude), Katie and Andrew Scott (Eze and Riven), Hannah Persenaire and Matt Schoppen, Adam, Annaleah, and Daniel Persenaire. Fondly remembered by her sister Marcia Jansen, sisters and brothers-in-law, Jess Helmus, Dorothy and Art VanderKruk, Helen Persenaire, Harry Vriend, Loie Persenaire, Delia Persenaire, Carol Persenaire and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her sister, Phyllis Klapmust.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Brookside Christian Reformed Church, 3600 Kalamazoo Ave, Grand Rapids, MI. Relatives and friends may meet the family at 10:00 a.m. one hour before the service. The family rejoices that Iris is at peace singing hymns with the saints in glory at the feet of Jesus. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Ugandan Orphanage Relief Fund (uorf.org).