CORVALLIS – Earlene Sue Wilson, better known as Nani, Mom, or Sue has left her earthly family and retired a beach bum to meet her baseball player in heaven on February 20, 2019. Sue was born on February 3, 1943 to the late Earl Johnson and Imogene Hibben in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She moved with her family to California, there she met the love of her life, Vester A. Wilson II.
They married on May 10, 1958 in Stockton, a union that lasted 42 years. They were blessed with 3 children Vester III, April and Jesse. In 1984, Sue’s niece Gina Wilson, came to live with them and became the 4th child in our family.
Sue and Vester owned 88 Disposal in Jackson, California and 88 Sales and Rentals in Pine Grove. Sue ran the office and taught her daughter April how to do book keeping. She was also the main small engine mechanic.
Sassy Sue could tear anything apart, put it back together and it ran. They sold these businesses and moved the family to Montana in 1976. They bought Bitterroot Disposal a year later.
Sue could be found at the baseball fields supporting her sons and husband as they played and later coached teams, most notably the Bitterroot Red Sox. Sue became a grandmother for the first time in 1979. She was an avid bowler and loved to sew.
She spent many hours building memories and teaching her children and grandchildren this fine art. Sue would sew for everyone, making clothing with love for concerts, birthdays, special occasions, and just because she could. She was an amazing host for all the big holidays, and she passed on many family recipes and traditions.
There is a dent in her kitchen ceiling that was put there by Vester III’s elbow. Well one day, her close friend, Rob Stevens decided that he was going to fill in this dent and fix it for her. She saw that and came unglued telling him to remove the stuff and leave that dent alone.
She was proud of it and no one was going to “fix” it. Nani, as her grandchildren called her, was a kind, compassionate woman. She taught her family how to work hard, how to treat others with respect, and how if you want something, you work for it.
She was a stubborn woman, who never took no for an answer, and her bark was far mightier then her bite. This beautiful woman has left us and gone to a higher place. Her love has inspired us.
She will be missed dearly. She was such a strong woman, and was always there to lift us up, dust the dirt off and send us back out to play. Her unconditional love has built a strong and beautiful family and it will definitely never be the same without her here.
By the grace of God may she rest her soul, have no pain and continue to watch over us everyday, to help us make the right decisions in life. May she guide us along our path keeping us safe, strong and moving forward. We love you Nani.
Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her husband, Vester Alvin Wilson II; both parents; 3 brothers, Glenn and James Johnson and Michael Kirkland. She is survived by her children, Vester Wilson III (Julia), Jesse Wilson, April Buroker (Joe) and Gina Wilson; 13 grand-children, 13 great-grandchildren, her close friend, Rob Stevens and many amazing family members and friends. Services will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the Daly Leach Chapel.
A private urn placement will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www. dalyleachchapel.com.
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