Yvonne Rae Wismer

WISMER, Yvonne Rae – Beloved sister, aunt, mother and grandmother, Age 93, of Grand Blanc, passed away Monday, August 28, 2023, at home in her independent apartment at Abbey Park with family at her side. Yvonne was born February 5, 1930, the eldest daughter of the late Walter J. and Thelma Mooney. Yvonne grew up in her earlier years in Flint and later, in Grand Blanc. At Grand Blanc High School, she was active in basketball, softball and track. She participated in drama performances and had a starring role in her senior play. After graduating from Grand Blanc Yvonne attended Hillsdale College for a year. Soon after, she met her husband Bob and returned to Grand Blanc. Yvonne took a job at General Motors, working as a secretary for five years until their first child was born.

The story of their meeting? Both sets of parents lived on Perry Rd in Grand Blanc. Bob and Yvonne passed through the door of Roberts Market (also on Perry Rd) going opposite directions and Robert (Bob) Wismer asked the owner with excited interest “WHO was THAT?” They were introduced, fell in love, and were married on June 24, 1950.

Together Yvonne and Bob had four children Karen, Deborah, Robert Jr. and Brian. Yvonne worked as a secretary for Bob at his McKinnon & Mooney office in Grand Blanc after her youngest child began 1st grade. They attended and were members at First Presbyterian Church of Flint their entire marriage. Yvonne was nominated and served as an Elder and was also a volunteer in different capacities for her church. In her later years she became a church employee and for 6 years was the friendly reception face at the front door.

Bob and Yvonne enjoyed skiing, golf and bridge and watching their kids’ and grandkids’ activities and achievements. Bob was an ardent Michigan Wolverine, Detroit Tigers, and Red Wings fan so Yvonne was also. They enjoyed Michigan football season tickets for 37 years. Those tickets are still in the family. They were members at Warwick Hills at for many years and Yvonne was in the Championship golf flight with a consistent straight swing. Yvonne loved bird watching, lawn mowing, gardening, and golfing. She later paid for all that sun time with 7 skin cancers on her head. (Wear your hats!) Yvonne hosted memorable dinner parties and bridge clubs. She was a member of P.E.O. International for many years as well.

Bob wrote poetry nearly his whole life and for their 50th wedding anniversary wrote the following poem for Yvonne:

The Anniversary Song:

Have fifty years gone by...so soon?

or...was it yesterday,

that we - beneath the wintery moon -

we kissed, to have our kisses say

...forever?

Or...was it not last night

I took you in my arms,

and there I held you tight

and told you how your charms

appealed so - to my heartroom -

bearing the only key -

that I wanted this to be

...forever?

Was that not your voice I heard

on the evening's icy air,

floating towards this love-sick-mockingbird

caught in the web of your moonlit lair -

...just last night?

Locking the lock of my heartroom door

...forever?

...just...last night?

That he loved her was undeniable.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Deborah and sister Shirley MacGillivary. She is survived by her children Karen (Douglas) Hollingsworth, Robert (LeAnn) Wismer and Brian (Karen) Wismer. Also 7 grandchildren: Alex Hollingsworth, Scott Hollingsworth, Lindsey (Kevin) Dawrant, Trent (Morgan) Wismer, Wendy Wismer, Clare (Stephen) Christy and Luke Wismer. Yvonne has two surviving sisters - Donna Graham and Sharon Kingsbury, and many nieces and nephews. Yvonne had many faithful good friends from many locations, some of whom reside at Abbey Park.

Our family is especially grateful to have had Holli Andrews as Yvonne’s part time companion and caregiver for the past 2+ years. Holli made it possible for her to live to the end in independent living. Thank you is insufficient for the difference and blessing she made for our Mom.

A reception will be held at Brown Funeral Home Grand Blanc on Monday, October 16, 2023, 5-7 PM. There will be a Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church of Flint on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 10:30 AM followed by buffet lunch at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society [Bob was an MS patient from 1952 until the time of his death] or the of the fund of choice at First Presbyterian Church of Flint.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfh.com for the Wismer family.