Obit: Heimstead, Mary Alice (1924 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Heimstead, Wildes, Gilson, Aerts, Leake

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/11/2015

Heimstead, Mary Alice (6 August 1924 - 5 February 2015)

Mary A. Heimstead, 90, of Neillsville died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at the House of the Dove in Marshfield.

Mary Alice Gilson was born Aug. 6, 1924, in Elroy, the daughter of Harold T. and Mabel G. (Wildes) Gilson. On May 16, 1943, she was united in marriage to Leland Heimstead in Warrens. Leland worked as a depot agent for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in Warrens, Merrillan and Neillsville. Mary raised her family and also worked, as a nurse’s aide at the Memorial Hospital in Neillsville from 1963 to 1973 and then as a school bus driver for several years.

Mary loved bird watching, especially hummingbirds, mowing lawn, growing potted flowers and going to the casino.

She is survived by her children, Theodore (Carol) Heimstead of Elk Mound, Gary (Robin) Heimstead of Zephyrhills, FL, and Nita (Paul) Aerts of Marshfield; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a very special friend and caregiver, Addy Leake; and her favorite cat, ‘Kitty.’

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Douglas; a brother, Doug; and two sisters, Margarite and Beunita.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Mary’s family with arrangements.