Nancy Wilkinson

Nancy Wilkinson Grand Ledge Nancy Wilkinson, born November 24, 1916 in Flint, MI, daughter of John and Nancy (Purdes) Buben, passed away December 15, 2008 at the age of 92. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Nancy deeply valued her family as well as the many other people in her life. Writer, baker, reader, dancer, volunteer, storyteller, world traveler and crafter, Nancy's many gifts, as well as her quick-witted humor and ready smile, enriched countless lives. She graduated in the top five of her class at Flint Northern High School in 1935 and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching from Central Michigan University in 1939. Nancy began her career at Ortonville School, where she met her husband Varl, also a teacher. Following a move to Portage, Nancy balanced mothering with her work as an adult educator and substitute for Portage Public Schools. She went on to teach Fourth Grade at Wacousta Elementary in Grand Ledge, retiring from Grand Ledge Public Schools in 1977. Varl and Nancy shared many special summers "at the lake", hosting family and friends at their cottage on Big Star Lake in Lake County, Michigan. Nancy was an active member of the Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church where she participated in United Methodist Women and was a former member of the Endowment Committee. She was also a longtime member of the ABC Club. Nancy is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years, Varl, and their children: Eileen Wilkinson and husband John Ducmanis of Ann Arbor, Nancy May (John) Scrimshaw of Fraser, Mary (Al) Geurink of Grand Rapids and Diane (John) Cole of Tucson, AZ; 6 grandchildren: Mindy (Kevin) Holohan, Amy Jo (Cionnaith) O'Dubhaigh, Brent (Ruth) Geurink, Megan (Jacob) Force, Ingrid (Scott Higgins) Ducmanis and Annie (Jim) Ducmanis Adams; 7 great-grandchildren: Josie, Mary, James, Indra, Colin, Emilia and Cian; 2 brothers: George (Madeline) Buben of Sterling Heights and Paul (Ella) Buben of Grand Rapids; 2 sisters: Mary Livak of Rutland, VT and Susan (Clint) Bostwick of Flint; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents and 6 brothers preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 411 Harrison St., Grand Ledge, with the Rev. Molly Turner officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Grand Ledge. The family will receive friends Friday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. For those desiring, contributions may be made to the Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church, Endowment Fund. www.petersandmurrayfuneralhome.com