Obituary of Tuttie Willison

A Mass of Christian Burial for Tuttie Willison, 81, of Milford, will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Visitation for Tuttie will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

The family encourages those attending to wear something that reminds you of Tuttie such as Arnolds Park Wildcat clothing, Okoboji clothing, Caitlin Clark attire, or Twins gear. Memorials in honor or Tuttie can be given to the Joy of Life Foundation, Okoboji Blue and Water Preservation Festival or Milford Public Library.

Marvelyn Joanne Willison, known as "Tuttie," was born on February 22, 1943, in Okoboji, Iowa, daughter of Florence Margaret (Gehlsen) and Hugo Adolph Sander. She peacefully passed away on April 30, 2024, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, at the age of eighty-one.

Tuttie was raised in Arnolds Park, Iowa where she graduated from Arnolds Park School, proudly representing the Arnolds Park Wildcats throughout her life. After she was married to John Willison at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford, they moved to a farm west of Milford. She was a devoted wife, steadfast farmhand and a loving mother to their five daughters. 

Tuttie was a member of the Catholic Daughters and was a devoted volunteer at church, whether it was counting money, serving meals or giving of her time where it was needed. She enjoyed gardening, reading and enjoyed outings with her girlfriends (Go Wildcats!).  Summers were a cherished time for Tuttie and John, as they spent time at Emerson Bay with their campground family. She loved spending a day on the lake and ending it with a nutty bar.

Her greatest joy came from supporting her daughters and grandchildren in their activities, whether it was cheering on the sidelines at games to attending dance recitals, music performances and plays. Tuttie was dedicated to her family and cherished every moment she spent with them.

She is survived by her husband, John Willison of Milford; daughters, Jill (Todd) Kramer, Janette Willison, Jackie (James) Barksdale and Jenna (Lino) Ramirez; son-in-law, John (Stephanie) Walz; grandchildren, Jordan Willison, Nicole (Joe) Jackson, Morgan (Tommy) Babcock, Kari (Miles) Taylor, Kelli Kramer, JP Walz and Wes Walz, Justin, Shane, Jonathon, Caleb, Colby and Callie Barksdale, Qam, Marqice and Izzy Ramirez; great-grandgirls, Josie Mae, Scottie Joy and Georgia Grace; one sister, Rosemary Saxon; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Tuttie was preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Florence Sander; siblings, Don, Ron and Marilyn; daughter, Joy Walz; in-laws, Cliff and Alvena Willison.