Obituary of Michael Lorne WILSON

August 15, 1964 – Didsbury, Alberta May 1, 2018 – High River, Alberta Mike, beloved husband of Liesel Wilson of Carstairs, passed away on May 1, 2018 at the age of 53 years. Mike’s position as the only boy in the family began in August of 1964 when he broke Mom’s tailbone on the way into the world. He came home to two older sisters and was followed by a younger sister. Though they teased him for being the golden boy and Mom and Dad’s favourite, his sisters always felt he was something special. Growing up on a farm, Mike had a connection with animals. There was almost always a dog in his life and on his lap, and though he’d deny it vehemently, he secretly liked cats! Mike became an indispensable asset to the farm as he grew older with Dad depending on him with greater responsibilities. The skills required came naturally to him. Mike attended Hugh Sutherland School in Carstairs from start to graduation. He then went to SAIT where he became a Power Engineer. Mike’s career began at the Lone Pine gas plant followed by the Amoco gas plant outside of Crossfield. His last move was to Amoco at Joffre which eventually became Ineos. Mike met Liesel when they were set up on a blind date by one of Liesel’s co-workers. His love of football, the Stampeders in particular, was fully disclosed to Liesel from day one considering their first date was to a game. She enjoyed it, and Mike had no choice but to consider her a keeper. Mike suspected early on that they were meant to be. Their wedding was lovely and had Liesel’s touch, but it was also unconventional enough to reflect Mike with a Casino instead of a dance. Mike and Liesel lived in Airdrie, Red Deer, and finally settled into the house they built overlooking the coulee on the family farm. Mike was a talented craftsman and did much of the finishing work himself. Each year, he’d have another idea about how he could tweak his home, and he’d set forth to make it happen. Mike enjoyed building and fixing things and had a knack for all of it. While on the farm, Mike and Liesel suffered the loss of their daughter, Jordin Hope. The darkness eased a few years later with the arrival of their son, Bode Aaron, and there never was a little boy more desperately wanted and loved. Mike was an amazing dad and husband. Bode and Liesel were his world and every decision was made with them in mind. Mike loved to make decisions. Nothing thrilled him more than researching and hunting for his next phone, truck, vacation, recipe, project… He challenged himself in the kitchen and was constantly trying out new dishes, most of which were excellent. Mike was an avid reader and always had a book in his lunch kit and one on his tablet. He tackled many genres and was in the midst of a series he thought was the bee’s knees. Though he wasn’t the biggest talker, people paid attention when he did. Mike was a great listener with a strong desire to fix the troubles of his loved ones. He was everyone’s ‘go to’ guy and he was always there to do what needed to be done, whether it was advice, physical labor or simply his time and attention. He was generous and often put others before himself. His sense of humor will be sorely missed, especially his ability to subtly sprinkle sarcasm into most conversations. He was a quick thinker and vastly intelligent. He could take it just as well as he gave it which made teasing so much more fun. Mike’s height should have made him easy to spot, but he had amazing ninja skills and could hide behind things half his size. Unlike many men, he loved to go shopping. Naturally it was a quest for the niftiest gadget or best deal but he reveled in the process. How do we adapt to his absence? Mike would likely answer with something witty, and he would certainly downplay the fuss. He’d duck and dodge any incoming hugs and chuckle at his success. Besides his loving wife, Liesel, Mike is survived by his son Bode, father Walter Wilson, his sisters Robinne (Jim) Hurt, Una Wilson, and Marian Wilson (Steve Muir). Mike was predeceased by his daughter Jordin Wilson, and his mother Lucille Wilson. A Gathering of Remembrance will be held at Carstairs Community Hall (1100 Lackner Way, Carstairs, AB) on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to STARS Air Ambulance, 1441 Aviation Park N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8M7, Tel; 403-295-181; , or to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 2888 Shaganappi Trail N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955-8818. In living memory of Mike Wilson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE, AB. Telephone: 403-948-1100.