Obituaries

Gordon Albert Wilson, 99 years old, peacefully passed away in St. Charles, Illinois on Thursday, February 22, 2024.

Gordon was born on a cold winter day January 6, 1925, at his family’s farmhouse in Cuba City, Wisconsin to Sarah Jane (Hird) Wilson and Albert Lester Wilson. After meeting his wife-to-be at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago Illinois, on June 21, 1947, he married Clara Ann Solis in Gladstone Michigan. Gordon said he went fishing with Clara’s brothers the morning before they got married.

Gordon served as an Electricians’ Mate during WWII in the US Navy until July 5, 1946, when he was discharged from Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago Illinois. At age 90, in 2015, Gordon found his old Navy uniform and he tried it on; everything still fit.

Gordon attended the Elk Grove Township School, a one room schoolhouse, during his elementary and middle school years. He played the piano for schoolhouse events as he was the only one in the school, during that time, that knew how to play. Gordon attended high school and graduated in June 1942. After graduating, Gordon traveled to Nebraska with his brother to work for the summer, he returned home with a jingle in his pocket; he applied for enrollment and was accepted to attend the Wisconsin Institute of Technology in Platteville, WI (the “Mining School”). After serving in the military service, Gordon continued his college studies at the Mining School from September 1946 to May 1947. He transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall of 1947 where he attended and graduated during the spring of 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. As an Alumnus, Gordon was a Badger sports fan and had yearly football passes for many years.

After graduating from college, Gordon worked for Texaco Oil Company in Lockport, IL for approximately four years. In 1955 he left Texaco and started working for Midwestern Contractors. Gordon worked hard and eventually became the President of the company. Gordon worked for Midwestern Contractors for 35 years until his retirement in 1990. Gordon said he originally chose a career in Civil Engineering because that would allow him to work more outdoors and not primarily behind a desk. As he wished, Gordon spent much of his career working outside.

During their life together Gordon and Clara attended St. Patrick’s Church in St. Charles, IL. After Clara’s passing, Gordon attended the United Methodist Church of Geneva.

Gordon volunteered as a baseball coach and attended many sports events participated by his children. He also volunteered for the Mended Hearts Incorporated, a non-profit providing  support and education to cardiovascular disease patients, caregivers, and family.

Gordon enjoyed yearly family vacations often together with his brothers and/or sisters’ families to a lake cabin where fish were just waiting to be caught and burgers were always on the grill. He never missed an opportunity to catch Clara preoccupied, ask her to open her hand and drop a little frog into it; he chuckled watching her surprise. There was never grass growing under Gordon’s feet; he and the family also frequently visited his or Clara’s family members in the Chicagoland area, Wisconsin, Michigan or Virginia to tell stories, play cards, and eat lots of food.

Gordon took Clara to yearly conventions in places like Florida, California, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, etc. When he and Clara returned from these trips, they always had stories to share and small gifts for his children, such as a little stuffed alligator, beach shells, starfish, hula grass skirts, moo moo dresses, etc. After his children were grown, Gordon, Clara and Gordon’s sister and/or brothers went on joint vacations traveling throughout the US. Gordon, Clara, Therron, Helen and Delores also visited England, the home of Wilson family ancestry. Gordon also regularly visited his son in Michigan and his daughter in Alaska.

Gordon joined the Elgin Country Club and golfed regularly with friends Jim and Bob. He loved golfing. He golfed with Clara, his children, Bonnie and Ellsworth, and many other relatives and friends. Gordon golfed at courses all over the US while on vacation. Gordon liked to walk the course, so it was only later in life he used a cart. Gordon golfed into his 90’s.

Gordon, with Clara, each year rented a community garden plot and grew vegetables and flowers. He enjoyed working in the garden almost every day. He loved to share his vegetables and flowers with family and friends. He read many different magazines and got ideas how to improve his garden. He was the only one in the community garden plots to have used carpet between each row of his crops to hold in moisture and to keep his shoes clean.

Gordon purchased a condominium in Englewood Florida where he spent many winters in the warm sun golfing, taking long walks, making new friends, playing cards, sight-seeing, and entertaining guests. He also joined a widow/widower social and support group where he attended many activities such as luncheons, dances, and other events.

Gordon will be deeply missed by family and friends. Gordon is survived by five children, Dennis (Delores) Wilson of St. Charles, IL, Deborah (Rick) Good of St. Charles, IL, Albert (Amy) Wilson of Gladstone, MI, Sue (Robert) Biddle of Elburn, IL, and Patricia (Debra Newton) Wilson of Eagle River, AK; grandchildren, Justin (Alberto Ortega) Riley of Los Angeles, CA, Jodi (Matt) Albinger of Shelby, NC, Ryan Good of McKinney, TX, Brian Wilson of St. Louis, MO, Erica (Daniel) Olson of Sycamore, IL, Brett Wilson of Pingree Grove, IL, and Olivia Biddle of St. Charles, IL; great grandchildren, Mya Olson, Taylor Olson, Avery Olson, Paige Olson, Madey Albinger, Glenn Albinger, and Jayden Biddle. He is also survived by his, nephew Keith (Tama) Wilson of Cuba City, WI, niece Betty Loeffelholz of Cuba City, WI, niece Sandra (John) Irace of St. Louis, MO, nephew Steve (Mary Beth) Wilson of Arlington, VA, niece Barb Andresen of Sycamore, IL, and many other family members and friends.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents Sarah and Albert, wife Clara, brother Laverne (Mary), brother Theron (Helen), sister Delores (Harry), and other family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Pastor Mary McKinney, Pastor Rob Hamilton, and volunteers from the United Methodist Church of Geneva for their support and services, John Krumm and staff at Yurs Funeral Home-St. Charles for their support and services, and all the doctors, nurses, aides, and staff that so kindly cared for Gordon at Brighton Gardens of St. Charles.

Visitation

Friday, March 1, 2024

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Yurs Funeral Home-St. Charles, IL

405 E. Main Street

St. Charles, IL 60174

(630) 584-0060

Funeral

Saturday, March 2, 2024

10:00 AM

United Methodist Church of Geneva

211 Hamilton Street

Geneva, IL 60134

Telephone (630) 232-7120

Burial to follow at:

Prairie Cemetery

[36W305-36W599 Crane Road

St. Charles, IL 60174

(630) 584-8699

Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Mary McKinney of the United Methodist Church of Geneva.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

 University of Wisconsin Foundation

U.S. Bank Lockbox

Box 78807

Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807

(800) 443-6162

(Please direct contributions to the Athletic Department (Badger Legacy Fund – 112130109) or the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering Fund – 132231080)

 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Mayo Clinic, Department of Development

200 First Street SW

Rochester, MN 55905

(855) 852-8129

 United Methodist Church of Geneva

211 Hamilton Street

Geneva, IL 60134

Telephone (630) 232-7120

To leave condolences or remembrance to the family, visit the Yurs Funeral Homes’ obituary web page at www.yursfuneralhomes.com. For more information, please call Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles, (630) 584-0060 or like us on Facebook.

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