WILDA FERN HECKER MOSHER

Wilda was born to Nada and Bob Hecker, the second of four children. She married Harry Mosher in 1949 and he predeceased her in 1997.

Wilda and Harry raised their five children in Detroit. She enjoyed her role as mother and homemaker. She missed Harrison but became active in her Detroit community as a Girl Scout leader, a school volunteer, a community choir member, and an enthusiastic audience for her children’s many musical performances. When her children were older, she attended college and became a substance abuse counselor, a job she loved. The valedictorian of her high school class, she relished her return to school.

She returned to Harrison after Harry died, building her dream home adjacent to land she grew up on next to the “sand pile” (now woods) where she played as a girl. She created a spiritual sanctuary there. She loved the solitude of her Harrison home but was also active in the community, joining the Friends of the Library, the Harrison Professional Women’s Association, the Clare County Foundation, and as a board member of a Clare treatment center. She and some friends helped plant and maintain the flowers around town. She was active in the Al-Anon group in Harrison.

Her recent years were spent in Spicewood, Texas with her daughter Barb Shafer, Barb’s husband Michael, and grandson David. Barb used her skills as a nurse to keep Wilda safe and well. The Shafer family expresses gratitude for the way she enriched their lives in recent years. Our family is eternally grateful to Barb for her loving and faithful care of Mom.

Daughter Sue Babcock was a regular visitor who watched “Somewhere in Time” numerous times with Wilda and made sure Mom had lunch dates with her and a steady supply of books to read. We are grateful to Sue for her steady support of Mom and Barb.

Wilda decided as a young woman to live life on her own terms and make her own decisions. Intellectually curious, Wilda was ahead of her time, pursuing interests in nutrition and alternative medicine. She enjoyed reading books about metaphysics, psychology, and philosophy.

Through her work in the substance abuse field she gained a deep understanding of 12 Step principles. She felt the 12 steps were a good guide for a life of serenity and purpose. Wilda experienced God through the beauty and complexity of nature. After years in a big city she returned to the woods of Harrison that she felt were her spiritual home. She often said that the phrase “don’t fence me in” described her feelings perfectly. Her favorite 12 step slogan was “to thine own self be true.”

She was skeptical of modern medicine and mainly managed to avoid doctors during her long and healthy life. After two medically managed birth experiences, she ignored the doctors and her remaining children were born through natural childbirth, a radical choice in the 1950’s.

Wilda was predeceased by her husband Harry, brothers Bob Hecker and Sam Hecker. Her youngest brother Al Hecker survives and lives in Reno, Nevada.

Wilda is survived by her children, Sue Babcock (Gregg) and Barb Shafer (Michael), both of Spicewood Texas, and Cathy Mosher (Ken Hansen), Ann Savickas (Mark) and Bill Mosher (Robyn), and Bob Gleichauf, her son-in-law of many years, all of Michigan. She leaves behind grandchildren Carrie Sculati (David), Brian Gleichauf (Jenny), Anna Argeropoulos (Mike), David Shafer, Brandon Mosher (Megan), Jordan Mosher, Ethan Davis, Adam Savickas (Leilani), Anthony Savickas (Meghan Foley), and Alex Savickas. Her great grandchildren are Eleanore Sculati, Anderson Sculati, Henry Argeropoulos, Helen Argeropoulos, Evangeline Gleichauf, Madeline Mosher, Cizel Savickas, Teddy Savickas, and Mary Lou Savickas.

Wilda had good friends in Harrison. She treasured her friendship with Rose Stevens who helped her reconnect with the Harrison community after many years downstate. She was especially close to her cousin Jan Hughes with whom she had a lively letter correspondence and deep conversations about life and philosophy. Her faithful neighbor Clayton Bryant looked after her house and kept the lawn looking sharp. Niece Maureen Herbruck was a regular lunch companion who checked in with Wilda often before the move to Texas.

In her last days all her children and three grandchildren, Jordan Mosher, Alex Savickas, and Adam Savickas gathered at Barb’s house in Texas. She was able to join us on the large, covered porch for brief visits for coffee (with her favorite creamer) and a cigarette. We talked with her, sang to her, read to her and played musical instruments for her. It was a beautiful and bittersweet time.

Her passing happened according to her firmly stated wishes, peacefully, at her Texas home with loved ones around.

Wilda will be remembered for her love of family, music, books, her backyard deer, and travel in the UP, especially Mackinac Island. She was a formidable cribbage player and baked wonderful bread. She leaves us with beautiful memories of family reunions at her Harrison house, including bonfires, storytelling, shared meals and talent shows. Her favorite activity was visiting with friends and family on her four-season porch overlooking her beloved woods.

Wilda created a rich life full of joy and meaning for herself and others. Her passing leaves an empty place in our family and our hearts. It comforts us to think of her now in a beautiful place beating our Dad at cribbage.

Her memorial service will be held on October 17 at 11 am at St. Luke Lutheran Church at 616 S. Fourth Ave in Harrison. After a graveside service there will be a luncheon beginning at 1 pm at The Venue located at 501 N. McEwan St in Clare. Masks will be provided for those that wish to use them. To share an online memory or condolence with Wilda’s family, please visit www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements for Mrs. Mosher are entrusted by Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989)539-7810.