Mrs. Gwendolyn Frances [Hildabrand] Hale passed away on Wednesday, September 9th, in Frankenmuth, Michigan, at the remarkable age of 100.

Gwen, "GG" to her great-grandkids, was born July 31, 1926, in Kingston, Michigan, to the late John and Iris (Warner) Hildabrand. Her family moved to Rose City in her mid-teens, where she graduated high school and married Don Hale on September 10, 1949, later settling in Millington.

Gwen held a variety of jobs over the years: trapping and selling pelts as a girl with her sister and best friend, Jerry; working as a telephone operator in Rose City as a teenager; and during WWII she worked at a West Branch foundry where she and a coworker devised a faster, if more dangerous, method of grinding airplane valves which earned them extra money for their speed. She later hired in and retired from what would become AT&T.

Gwen loved old country music, especially "San Antonio Rose" and "What made Milwaukee famous". She also loved traveling with Don and her family and enjoyed many trips to Northport for beach days at the lake lots, trout fishing, buckwheat pancakes, and mushrooming.

She loved to dress up, sewing her own clothes in her early years and collecting extra unused shoe ration stamps from family and friends during WWII. Later, flashy outfits and statement jewelry became her signature. She also loved crafting stunning stained glass windows, sun catchers, and even a lampshade worthy of a Tiffany's showroom.

Most of all, Gwen enjoyed being with her grandkids and great-grandkids - hunting, fishing, playing games, and golf-cart rides down piney lane to the witchy woods (thanks to Don quietly keeping things running behind the scenes). And when it came to games, Gwen loved to win. Board games, cards, or any competition, no mercy was given regardless of the opponent or their age.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, Don Hale; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Maggie (Joe) Balla, Jerry (John) Reasner, Jackie (Blaine) Brown, and Rhea (Jack) McGregor; along with her husbands sisters and brother-in-law, Florence (Charles) Wozniak and Anna Mary Matuszewski.

She is survived by her children, Jolle (Clayton) Ewing, Marc (Rose Mary) Hale, and Lorinda (Kenny) Jensen; six grandchildren; seven beloved great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and extended family.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Winter Village and Advisa Care — especially Nikki, Linda, Glenda, Shaunda, Aaliyah, Kirstie, Ranesha and so many others. Gwen considered them dear friends and they treated her like family. It meant more than words can say.

The family has honored Gwen's wishes and a cremation has taken place with private urn burial.

Somewhere, Gwen's raising a Budweiser draft (lots of foam of course) saying, "Here's looking at you, kid!"

Kindly share a memory with Gwen's family in the guestbook below.

Gwen and her family are in the care of Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington. Address: 4823 Main Street, Millington, MI 48746. Phone (989) 871-4591.

Hanlin Funeral Homes - Serving Since 1928