Barbara Ann (Groos) Budinger

Barbara Ann Budinger was born May 3, 1938 to Dr. and Mrs. Louis Groos in Escanaba, Mich. She attended Franklin School, Escanaba Senior High and graduated from NMU in social work. Barb spent many years working with criminal justice reform issues and served on the boards of MI-CURE and SATA.

Barb’s favorite things to do were roller dance skating, going to rummage sales, enjoying a good practical joke and just having fun where ever she went. She loved to sing with Sweet Adeline’s, the Sunshine Girls and Upper Yoopers Barbershop Chorale, where she was forever harmonizing to songs she loved. She spent many years traveling to other countries and learning their cultures. She especially liked constructive thinking and enjoyed talking to people who thought that way regardless of their beliefs. Her strongest love was for her husband of 49 years, Alan Budinger. They were childhood sweethearts and they had three sons to whom she was devoted. She leaves behind two daughters-in-law, who taught her a lot, and her adorable grandchildren, who brought her heartwarming joy and comfort.

Barb is survived by her three sons, Gregory (wife Kerry and children Anna (married to Dienner Lazo) and Laura), John and Daniel (wife Gretchen and children Cambria, Callan, Carlee and Caleb) along with one soon-to-be-born great-grandchild. In addition, she leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Virginia Groos, Donna (Dale) Richer and Charlotte Poquette along with numerous nieces and nephews whom she enjoyed and loved to have fun with.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Alan Budinger, parents Louis and Frances Groos, brother John Groos and sister Mary Clark.

Her family is very appreciative to her friends who came to visit her in the hospital and especially those in the Sunshine Girls and Upper Yoopers Barbershop Chorale who sang her into her long sleep with their beautiful harmonies.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Christopher Catholic Church on Wednesday, Sept. 5, beginning at 9 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m. Deacon Tom Moseley will officiate. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery at a later date.

The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at ­fassbenderfuneralhome.com