Elizabeth A. "Betty" Wisniewski

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Wisniewski, 89 of Gaylord, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2024, surrounded by family.

She was born on November 22, 1934, in Hopkins, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph and Rose (Fifelski) Iciek. She was raised on the family dairy farm, loved playing on the school basketball team and was proud to be the Valedictorian of her high school graduating class. Betty graduated with an associate degree from Davenport College of Business and worked as a secretary for various businesses. She was well respected by all her employers and always ranked at the top of her profession for her typing speed and accuracy. Betty also loved her years of working with children as a teacher’s aide in various Flint area schools.

In 1957, she married Bernard Wisniewski, her loving husband of 63 years. Betty was a devoted wife and mother. She was most proud of raising her seven children and passing along her deep Catholic faith to her children and their spouses, 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Betty was always active in her church. She taught religious education for many years at Saint Agnes in Flint, Michigan. She was a dedicated community volunteer and a true believer in the power of prayer. At St. Robert’s in Flushing, she and her husband, Ben, started the Respect for Life group. At age 80, they moved to Gaylord where they were members of St. Mary Cathedral. Betty will always be remembered for surviving a devastating tornado in 2022, which completely destroyed her home causing catastrophic property damage throughout Gaylord. As Betty was saying the rosary the tornado made a direct hit where she was standing-yet she was untouched. Minutes later as her son approached her from his house, she looked at him and stated, “Steven, I’m ok. I have my rosary”.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ben in 2020. She is survived by her seven children: Dr. Steven (Rita LaVictoire), Janet (Rob) Back, David (Kim), Andrew (Gwen), Kathleen (John) Moulton, Paul (Gina) and John (Christine). She is also survived by 23 grandchildren, Dr. Jack (Stephanie), Emily, Luke (Dr. Rachel), Thomas, Therese, Katie (Eddie), Karen (Rick), Michael, Matthew (Ashley), Taylor, Zachary, Benjamin (Taylor), Mark (Colleen), Andrea (Bryan), Daniel (Paige), LT John Nevin, Gavin, Gretchen, Rachel, Mitch, Aaliyah, Andrew (Lauren) and Robert; and twelve great grandchildren, Elizabeth (Libby), Dillon, Polly, Madeleine, Rueben, Damian, Lincoln, Hudson, Amelia, Lillian, Henry and Daisy.

She will be greatly missed by all who loved her; her dedication to family, her resilience, her devotion to defending the unborn and her example of living a truly Christian life. 

The family will visit with friends from 4:00-6:00 PM Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, followed by a Rosary at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church beginning at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. Mary Cathedral followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM. Interment will take place 12:00 PM Friday, October 18, 2024, at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Dorr, MI.

Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions in her memory to St. Mary’s School and or to the New Life Pregnancy Center through the funeral home.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.