Mary Arlene Wilson, June 13, 1931 — February 20, 2019

Mary’s Obituary Mary “Arlene” Wilson, 87, of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at Altercare of Big Rapids. She was born June 13, 1931, near Rodney, the daughter of Carl and Nina (Martiny) Johansen, and was raised in Martiny Township. On March 18, 1950, she married Herbert Wilson, and has lived in Big Rapids since.

In their early years of marriage Arlene did child care, and also worked at Wolverine World Wide to help pay for their home. Because of her love for children, she opened a day care in their home, where she took care of over 100 children throughout the years. Upon retiring, she still loved helping care for children at June and Jim Romine’s home.

Arlene was a former member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Big Rapids. She will be remembered for her bright smile, her kind heart, and by her grandchildren for all the mischief she got them in! Arlene is survived by her husband of 69 years, Herb.

Also surviving are their daughter Diana (Herm) McConnell of Big Rapids; 3 grandchildren, Kim (Tim) Nichols, Angela (Bob) Gibbs, and Jeff (Elisa Stemick) McConnell; 7 great-grandchildren, Amber, Jacob, Hannah, Zach, Christopher, Michael, and Laurel; 4 sisters, Ida Mae Maneke, Ruth (Don) McCarthy, Josephine Ottobre, and Barb (Glen) Dalton; 4 brothers, Carl “Sonny” (Betty), Glen, Charlie (Judy), and Floyd (Mary) Johansen; sisters-in-law Helen Dennis, and Betty and Doris Johansen; brother-in-law Gordon Wilson; and many nieces and nephews. Arlene was preceded in death by her brothers Ray, Bob, Norman, Ed, and Gerald and his wife Pat Johansen, her brothers-in-law David Wilson, Gerald Dennis, and Jim Maneke, and 2 nephews. Per Arlene’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and services with burial in the Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made for Spectrum Health Hospice. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.

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