Charlene L. 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. She moved to Grand Rapids 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. She 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. Her devotion to them was deep and exuberant. 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.
Char was preceded in death by her parents in 1994.
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. and Michael Martin of Marquette; grand-nephew Gavin Dawson and grand-niece Nolia Belle Dawson of Negaunee; special cousin, Byron Freeman and his wife, Michelle Freeman of Hancock; many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial service for Char will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. in the third floor ballroom at the Bluffs 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 last four months. The family also expresses heartfelt thanks to Pastor David Weber of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Hancock for his daily visits, helpfulness and for the kind service provided by Mark Dennis of the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Copper Country Humane Society, P.O. Box 453, Houghton will be greatly appreciated.
