Iva B. Sweet was born November 6, 1935 to the late Russell and Donna Wesseling in Allegan, MI. She graduated from Allegan High School and for a time worked at DeLano Printing and Allegan General Hospital. She married her husband, Arba “Bud” Sweet in July 1954. She was a homemaker and loved gardening, cooking and canning. She sewed many beautiful dresses for her girls and was a very talented knitter. Her blankets and sweaters were award-winning at the local Allegan Fair. Iva was co-owner of Sweet Construction with her late husband Bud.
Iva and Bud have two daughters, Pamela Sweet-Clark (Thomas) and Cindy Sweet-Ferguson (Robert). Both girls were born in Allegan, Pam now living with her family in Stokesdale, NC, and Cindy with her family in Estero, FL. Bud and Iva loved the southern warm climate and built a home in Florida. They spent many winters there and then returned to Allegan to work the construction business in the summer. In later years, they moved permanently to their home in Bonita Springs, FL.
Iva loved her grandchildren and spent much time helping to care for them. Grandchildren are Nathan Clark of Allegan, MI, Shannon Clark-Englehorn (Ethan) of Stokesdale, NC, Brandon Clark (Leslie) of Oak Ridge, NC, Abigale Ferguson and fiance Michael Riccardi of Seattle, WA, and Andrew Ferguson of Estero, FL. Great Grandchildren are Marcus Clark, Aidan Englehorn, Addelyn Englehorn, Pearson Clark, Maddox Clark and Lola Clark. Preceding her in death is her husband Arba “Bud” Sweet, her brother Larry Wesseling, her sisters Sally Wesseling-Ashley and Claudette Wesseling-Fergusson. Surviving her is brother Ken Wesseling, sister-in-law Brenda Wesseling, brother-in-law Bill Ashley and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Iva spent many years with Alzheimer’s Disease. She died peacefully in her sleep and is now with the Lord, surrounded by her husband, friends and family members. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Allegan at a private family service in the future.