Obituaries

Alice Louise Matheson, age 88, beloved mom, sister, gramma, great gramma, and aunt went to her heavenly home on October 12, 2026 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, knowing the love of her family. She was born on April 28, 1938, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Lyle and Shiela (Murphy) Matheson and was the second of four girls.

Alice was raised in Algonquin, Michigan, and spent most of her life in Sault Ste Marie. At age 83, she moved to Manistique, Michigan, to be near family. She lived there until June 2026, when she moved to Grand Rapids to again be near family.

Alice attended St. Mary’s Catholic School & graduated in 1956 from Loretto Catholic High School.

Alice retired from the Chippewa County Courthouse/Friend of The Court in 2001 after twenty-three years of service. She spent her retirement years doting on her family, traveling to Germany, Europe, France, Italy, Ireland (twice), England, and anywhere that her children lived. She attended sporting events, school functions, and any activity they were involved in, spending a lot of time cheering in the bleachers, in gyms, cold hockey arenas, sweltering hot baseball fields, to cheer them on. Alice was a member of Saint Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, she volunteered for the War Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, St Jogues Thrift Shop and St. Jogues Guild.

Alice had five children with Patrick Thompson and they were married for thirty years.

Alice loved deeply and was known to have a little sugar and spice, a quick wit, a knack for using similes and for giving her grandchildren their annual Yooper Bar, $2 bills, and Reindeer food!

Alice is survived by her children, Pat (Sue) Thompson of Normal, Illinois, Karleen (Scott) Stephens of Livingston, Montana, Linda (Scott) Hula of Rockford, Michigan, Laurie (Ross) Parker of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kristie (Doug) Mickelson of Manistique; father of her children, Patrick Thompson; grandchildren, Jamie (Jeff) Mankiewicz, Alex Thompson, Jenna Thompson, Melissa (Nathan) Wolf, Becky (Matt) Spears, Tyler (Lauren Chaisson) Stephens, Kelly (Ty) Shorter, Katelin (Jeremy) Hagedorn, Trent (Chelsea) Parker, Josh (Emily) Mickelson, Gunnar (Angie Carley) Mickelson, and McKenzie (Corey Gonyea) Mickelson; great-grandchildren, Jack Hampton, Liam Hampton, Parker Mankiewicz, Leo Wolf, Dylan Wolf, Laney Shorter, Gus Shorter, Teddy Hagedorn, Frankie Hagedorn, Hudson Parker, Ella Mickelson, Austin Mickelson, Alix Mickelson, Myla Mickelson & baby boy due Dec 2026, Avalyn Benda, Duncan Gonyea, & baby boy due Jan 2027; and former daughter-in-law, Lori Thompson, whom she remained close to. She was also loved and will be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Sheila; sisters and their spouses, Maureen (Edward) Anderson, Kathleen (Rex) McGinn, and Eileen (Clarence) Hendrickson.

The family wants to thank the staff at Woodland Assisted Living in Manistique and more recently the Cortland Northview/Terrace in Grand Rapids for making our Mom feel welcome and at home.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at Family Life Funeral Homes, 4951 S. M-129, Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783. The Celebration of Life will follow, beginning at 3:00 PM.

Alice’s final resting place will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan, beside her beloved parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the MELAS Foundation for Avalyn Mae Benda. Please ask a family member for more information.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.