Alice Lillian Arbelius, 88, of Kirkpatrick Ave., Palmer, passed away peacefully in the care of her loving family and UP Home Health and Hospice Wednesday morning, March 29, 2017 at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living.

Alice was born December 22, 1928 in Negaunee to Edwin and Lillian (Mattson) Peterson and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1946. She married the late Leo ‘Slug’ Arbelius and they resided in Palmer where they raised their family and owned and operated Handy Grocery and Service.

Mrs. Arbelius was a member of Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church, Negaunee, the Negaunee VFW Auxiliary and the Richmond Township Community Club. She was an avid horseshoe pitcher for the Community Club. Alice loved visiting with family and friends around a campfire, being outdoors and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. After Leo’s passing, she enjoyed spending winters in New Mexico with her special friend and companion, John ‘Jan’ Chiri.

Surviving are four daughters: Judith Wiig of Negaunee, Sandy (Steve) Sarasin of Marquette, and Kathy and Dawn ‘Beku’ Arbelius, both of Palmer; her son, Scott Arbelius of Negaunee Township; her sister, Louise (Robert ‘Crow’) Vizena of Negaunee; eight grandchildren: Steven (Patricia) Wiig, Kevin (Jill) Wiig, Brian Wiig, Kristen (Joe) Dammann, Jason and Christopher Sarasin, Jenny (Kyle) Rundman and Ben Wolfe; eight great-grandchildren: Magnus Wiig, Amelia and Gunnar Wiig, Della Rae Dammann, Axl and Caylee Sarasin, and Hayden and Cooper Rundman; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo in 1990; brother, John Peterson; two sisters: Gladys Makinen and Ruth Arbelius; and her special companion Jan Chiri.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 5th at Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Bakkala Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 12:00 noon until the time of services at 2 pm at the church on Wednesday. Following services, a luncheon will be held in the church hall. Alice’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the Brookridge Heights staff for their wonderful and compassionate care.

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