Irmgard "Mike" Griffin

Irmgard “Mike” Griffin, 86, of Northport, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Irmgard was born December 15, 1928 in Herne, Westphalia, Germany to Ernst and Anna (Bussmann) Hagedorn. The oldest of five girls, Irmgard helped raise her sisters and worked in the family business during WWII. After finishing high school she attended nursing school in Frankfurt, Germany, then in 1952 emigrated to Montreal, Canada. She later moved to Philadelphia, PA where she worked as a private nurse. Irmgard married Hugh M. Griffin in 1956 and settled in the Detroit area. They built commercial properties and businesses throughout Michigan and the United States and moved their young family to Traverse City, Michigan in the 1960s after purchasing the Fox Haus Motor Lodge. Irmgard was active in the daily business operations, and found great joy in planting and caring for the numerous flower beds around the properties. Irmgard was an avid outdoor enthusiast. She enjoyed traveling, skiing, camping and sailing. Many summers were spent sailing the Great Lakes and the Caribbean Sea during holidays. In 1972 the family moved to Northport, Michigan at Cathead Point where she delighted in walking the shoreline and creating artwork with Petoskey stones, macramé, and endless knitting projects. In 1976 she opened The Harbor Shop gift store in the Pier Group Building, which later moved to Mill Street. She expanded the business and opened one of Leelanau County’s first coffee shops, The Lighthouse Coffee Shop, where she was known for her German omelets, eggs benedict and homemade bread pudding with rum sauce! One of her greatest joys was the love and friendship she shared with her customers during 18 years in business. After retiring in 1994, Irmgard enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends in Germany, New Zealand and throughout the United States. Irmgard will be fondly remembered for her work ethic, generosity to others and love of her family and many dear friends. Surviving Irmgard are her children Linda “Lisa” (Chris) Preston of Hanmer Springs, New Zealand; Stephen “Greg” (Lois) Griffin of Dillon, Montana; Laura (Drew Leemon) Griffin of Lander, Wyoming; Patricia (Peter) Van Dusen of Northport, Michigan; James (Cereus) Griffin of Naples Florida; sisters Ilse (Karl-Heins) Horchler, Doris Sonnenshein, Ulrike (Lothar) Timm; grandchildren Abigail, Adrienne, Erin, Kyle, Reid, Patrick and Sarah; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Ernst and Anna Hagedorn, sister Ruth Paulsmann, and brother-in-law Egon Paulsmann. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the Willowbrook Mill Building in Northport. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Irmgard’s name, to either Share Care of Leelanau Inc. Suite 600, 7401 East Duck Lake Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653-8701 or The Leelanau Township Community Foundation P.O. Box 818 Northport, MI 49670. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkoff Funeral Home in Traverse City

Irmgard "Mike" Griffin

December 15, 1928 - April 18, 2015