Charlene Alquist
HANCOCK — Charlene L. Alquist, 56, passed away with her family by her side on Monday, May 5, 2008, at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility where she had been a resident for two months.
Char was born in Ishpeming, on June 9, 1951, to the late Robert and Marion (Howe) Alquist of Republic. She moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., with her family as a little girl after her mother contracted polio. She was a graduate of Central High School, and her family was immensely proud of her many lifelong accomplishments. Char loved her job and extraordinary co-workers at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and retired after 28 years to return to the Upper Peninsula to live near family.
Char was passionate about her family, friends, and her beloved dog, Oliver. Throughout her life she relished family gatherings, camping trips, travel, country western concerts, horses, outings with her special friends, Mickey and Edaline, taking photographs, reading, and helping anyone who needed it in any way she could. She was the family historian and could remember details of events that everyone else had long forgotten.
She is survived by her sister, Christine Alquist of Hancock; nephews, Nathaniel (Heidi) Dawson of Negaunee, Toby (Audrey Lucero) Dawson of Sunderland, England, Ben Dawson of New Glarus, Wis., Michael Martin of Marquette; great-nephews and niece, Gavin and Nolia Belle Dawson of Negaunee; aunts and uncles, Barbara Alquist of Kingsford, Helen Berlinski and John (Patricia) Alquist, all of Quinnesec, Joseph (Alice) Howe of Annadale, Va.; adopted aunt, Gwen Dawson of Witch Lake; many cousins and friends and her special cousin, Bryon (Michelle) Freeman of Hancock.
She was preceded in death by her parents in 1994, her grandparents, Walter and Delphine Alquist of Quinnesec and Colonel Merle and Virginia Howe of Grand Rapids, and several aunts and uncles.
A memorial service for Char will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. (Eastern time) in the third floor ballroom at the Bluffs located at 1000 Bluff View Drive in Houghton.
Burial will take place this summer at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Grand Rapids.
The family is profoundly grateful to Dr. Wade Liston for his tireless efforts, compassion, and care for Char during the past four months. The family also expresses heartfelt thanks to Pastor David Weber of Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Hancock for his daily visits and helpfulness and for the kind service provided by Mark Dennis of the O’Neil-Dennis Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Copper Country Humane Society, P.O. Box 453, Houghton, Mich., 49931.
The O’Neil-Dennis Funeral Home is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.
