Darlene Marie Myjak

Darlene Marie Myjak, age 72, of Munising, died unexpectedly Thursday, April 22, 2021, at the Baptist Health Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.  She was born in Marquette, Michigan on February 24, 1949 to the late Stanley and Mary (Colbus) Myjak.  Darlene graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in Munising and then attended Northern Michigan University.  She worked for many years as a client caregiver for Pathways where she provided support to substance abuse programing and mental health care for children.  Darlene married Richard “Riku” Heikkila in 1985.  Darlene loved animals!  She had many furry and feathered friends she cared for.  Darlene loved to ride horses and showed her chickens and goats at the Alger County Fair and also was a volunteer worker at the Alger County Fair.  She enjoyed being an amateur radio operator (KD8YEY) and was proud to be a member of the Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS).  Darlene was a member of the Munising Moose Lodge and volunteered at many events, and fund raisers.  While working in the kitchen at one of these events Mark Lyle Wilson, asked Darlene to dance and they never let go.  They were married on September 27, 2014 and together they shared eight beautiful years together.  Mark and Darlene enjoyed traveling between their homes in Munising and Louisville, KY.  They loved to camp in their camper both near and far, from the Alger County Fair Grounds and Hiawatha Music Festival to The Badlands, Yellowstone, Seattle, Kentucky Horse Park, Mammoth Caves, Niagara Falls, and military bases in Savannah, GA, Wright-Patterson AFB, and Charleston, SC.  Her kindness to those who were in need and witty sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Darlene is survived by her husband – Mark L. Wilson of Munising; sister – Donna Myjak of Fond du Lac, WI, step-children – Mark A. (Amanda) Wilson, David (Jen) Wilson, and Jennifer (Jesse) Embry all of Louisville; grandchildren – Tyler, Anna, Emma, Elijah “Eli”, and Amelia; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents – Stanley and Mary; husband – Riku Heikkila in 2011; brothers – Stanley “Sunny” (Sharon) Myjak, Jr. and Gary Myjak; sisters – Carol Jean (Gerald) Micheau, Jean (Leo) Dykczynski, Amelia (Paul) Jackewicz, and Rose Evens (Paul Funderburg).

Visitation will be on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at the Bowerman Funeral Home from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.   During the visitation at the funeral home, Covid precautions and attendance regulations will be observed as directed by the MDHHS.  Masks will be required and the funeral home staff with be assisting with social distancing and the 25-person attendance restriction.  To help with compliance and if able, if your last name begins with A-G, please attend between 5:00 and 6:00.  If your last name begins with H-P, please come between 6:00 and 7:00.  If last name begins with Q-Z, please attend between 7:00 and 8:00.  Pastor Paul Kelto will conduct Darlene’s funeral services on Monday, May 10, 2021 at the Bowerman Funeral Home beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Interment immediately following the services will be at the Serenity Pines Cemetery in AuTrain.  At 2:00 p.m. a celebration of life will take place at Darlene and Mark’s farm on H-58.  Friends are asked to bring a dish to pass.