IRMA LEE GRANO

Irma Lee Grano was born June 11th 1930 in South Haven Michigan.  The 6th child of Robert & Bernice Wilkinson.  The first child of 8 that was born at the hospital.  Irma attended a one room elementary classroom where her Aunt Gladys was her teacher.  Irma graduated from South Haven High School in 1948.

Irma was raised on a farm with her seven siblings.  Ronald, Donna, Bob, Merk, Fran, Bev, and Jan.  Irma’s role on the farm was “the cook”, she would later say her mother came to her and said your it, I’m tired of cooking.  Jan’s whose role was the dishwasher and she would often complain that her sister used every pot in the kitchen when she cooked.

Irma’s first job was at the local phone company as a switch board operator but she didn’t like it so she put her name on the list to be a bookkeeper for the phone company while she was waiting, she was a “soda Jerk” at the local drugstores fountain.    Once she was hired by the phone company as a bookkeeper, she realized this was her calling.  

Irma met the love of her life in 1948 at the local diner.  Chuck was a mechanic at the garage next door to where she worked and he would always take his breaks when he knew she was working.

Irma and Chuck were married May 12, 1951 and were happily married for 60 years.  Tony will tell you that he never once heard his parents argue, as Irma would later tease, Lucky in love, never had a fight, just several discussions.

Irma and Chuck lived in South Haven and were blessed with two sons; Ronald Lee was born 1954 and Anthony “Tony” Charles in 1956. 

In 1967 the family decided to move to California to join Irma’s siblings where they lived happily until Chuck passed away in 2011.  Together they would start Grano Welding.  Irma worked as the bookkeeper for Babcock and Sons Lab while also taking care of Grano Welding’s books.

Irma and Chuck had a gift of hospitality and would always host their family & friends with dinners; her famous spaghetti and meatballs were always the favorite.

Irma and Chuck were active members of the Elks club since 1969 participating in the camper & pistol clubs as well as holding various other positions in their organization.  They loved being members and created many, many friends over the years.  Irma stayed active after Chucks passing and continued to sell Bingo cards every week until she passed, and she loved doing it, she would often brag about how many cards she sold each week.

Irma was extremely proud of her family.  Tony was the first son to marry in 1983.  Irma adored her daughter in law Sandy and they made her a first-time grandparent.  Scott Anthony was born in 1984 and Kristopher Ronald in 1986.

Ron then blessed her with her first granddaughter Jennifer Lynn in 1985.

Irma suffered the loss of her son Ron in 2000 and Sandy her daughter-in-law in 2009.

In 2011 Tony remarried to Kelly and Irma was thrilled to gain additional grandchildren Eric, Theresa and a great granddaughter Jaelynn.

Since that time Irma’s family continued to grow.  Scott added a great-granddaughter, Braelynn in 2015.  Jennifer married John Pacheco in 2016 and blessed her with another great-granddaughter, Kennedy in 2017.  Kris added another granddaughter for Irma with his wife Oliva in 2025 and we are saddened to know she will miss out on the birth of her first great-grandson due this September.

Sadly, Irma passed on July 6th 2025 peacefully at the age of 95.

Irma was a wonderful woman, who never said an unkind word about anyone in her long life.  Irma was a loving wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma “GG” was what they called her and her face lit up when they did.   Irma was also a dear & loyal friend to many.  She will be greatly missed.

Her family takes solace in knowing that Irma was reunited with the love of her life, Chuck, her son Ron, daughter in law Sandy and all 7 of her siblings when she arrived in heaven.

Tony would like to take this time to especially thank all of his cousins and their spouses for their unwavering love and support especially these past few years as well as her many friends. Her family feels that this core group of people are what defined her and her longevity.

Memorial Service will be on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 1:00pm at the Riverside Elks Lodge #643.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

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