January 26, 1942 – February 9, 2021

Born Darlene Niedzwiecki on January 26, 1942 to the late Frank and Gertrude Niedzwicki in Munising, Michigan.  At the age of 79, Darlene found eternal peace, passing away at her home on February 9, 2021.

She married Dirk A. Wilson on June 2, 1962 and had seven children, which then had eighteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren with another on the way.

Darlene had worked at a meat plant in Butler, Wisconsin before spending many years in the restaurant business.  She and her husband owned their own restaurant “The Hub Truck Stop” in Trenary, Michigan for fifteen years.  She loved to cook and bake homemade goods like breads, cookies, pies and donuts.

Darlene’s greatest joy was her family…. she loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother.   She loved to take nature walks through the woods, enjoyed snowshoeing, snowmobiling, smelting, riding her Kawasaki, playing cards, dominos and dice.  She also loved watching her hummingbirds.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Tiernan, brothers Richard and Francis, sisters Irene, Ruth, Delores, Antoinette, and Clara.

She is survived by her loving husband of almost 59 years, Dirk A. Wilson.  Her children Vickie Brill, Dirk Wilson, Jr., Duane Wilson, Diane Hart, Dean Wilson, and Marnie Paananen.  Also, her beloved grandchildren Amanda, Kalynn, Hollie, CJ, Ashley, Samone, Rick Jr., Denae, Troy, Tori, Anthony, Jazlyn, Joseph, Kendall, Dawson, Dillan, Logan, Jordan, and twenty-one great grandchildren.

Darlene was well loved and had a very wonderful full life filled with laughter and love.  She will be dearly missed.

When tomorrow starts without me,

please try to understand,

that an angel came and called my name,

and took me by the hand;

The angel said my place was ready, in Heaven far above,

And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates,

I felt so much at home, for God looked down, smiled at me,

And told me “Welcome Home.”

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don’t think we’re far apart,

for every time you think of me,

I’m right there in your heart.