April 30, 1935 – January 4, 2026

Arlene (aka “Warden”) Wilder passed January 4, 2026 with her daughters by her side.

Wanda Arlene was born to William and Florence (Peterman) Gillander in Sacramento, California.

Arlene lived in Folsom, CA with her family before moving to Grass Valley where she attended Mount Saint Mary’s School until she went on to attend Grass Valley High School graduating with the Class of 1952. While in high school Arlene was proud to be a baton majorette and also singing a song solo at her graduation.

Arlene met the love of her life, upper classman, Bob Wilder while in high school dating for two years before they married April 7, 1951. Bob gave Arlene the nickname “Warden” and always called her Warden. Arlene cherished her nickname and would introduce herself by that name. Many people besides Bob would call her Warden also not ever knowing her name was Arlene and that was okay.

Arlene and Bob lived in Marysville, Yuba City, Pinole and Sacramento, California before returning to Grass Valley in 1958 buying a small ranch off of Wheeler Cross Road building a life there with their three children, living on what is known as The Wilder Ranch for 60 plus years before their passing.

Arlene had a few part-time jobs over the years outside of their home but the most important jobs she was most proud of was being wife and partner to Bob, homemaker and mother to their three children and of course Nana to all of her grandchildren.

As a homemaker she loved to bake, iron clothes which she found relaxing and loved to embroidery on pillow cases and dish towels until arthritis stopped her embroidery. Over the years Arlene baked many cookies, pies and pasty’s not just for family but for friends too and maybe you were one to enjoy them also.

Arlene and Bob were married 72 years and dated for two years in high school, so were together a total of 74 years before Bobs passing in 2023. With the love and soul mate of her life gone, Arlene “Warden’s” heart ached and grief was unbearably hard for her to accept. Now with her passing, imagine them happy together dancing their dance.

Arlene is survived by daughter Laureen Price, son John (Debbie) Wilder, daughter Melisa “Lee” Wilder and their families, 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Richard (Karen) Wilder, and sister-in-law Maria Elena Wilder, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Florence (Paul) Steuware, Margaret (Loyall) Henderson, and Jean (Vern) Rakich, in-laws Willard and Sylvia Wilder, sisters and brother-in-laws Delores (Phil) Gemmill, Dorothy Hoffman, Doris (Stan) Penaluna, and Ron Wilder, son-in-law James C. Price, grandchildren Zackary Mabbett, Jana Price, Karen Price Hannum and great-grandson Walker Price.

Burial will be conducted by Hooper & Weaver Mortuary at a later date and a Celebration of Life in the Spring. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity or to Partners in Care Hospice, 560 Wall Street, Suite F, Auburn, CA 95603, in memory of Wanda Arlene Wilder. Thank you.

To Sierra View Senior Assisted Living, Lisa and Staff Thank you for your care and friendship to Arlene “Warden” and to our family. Also, thank you to the residents for your friendship and caring too, all appreciated.

Thank you to those at Partners in Care Hospice for the comforting care you gave Wanda Arlene Wilder at this time of her life and for your concern for family.