Carol Rose Bugay

Carol was born March 13, 1944, to Elmer and Evelyn (King) VanDrese. She was raised in Flat Rock with her four siblings and graduated from Gladstone in 1962. Despite being shy in school, her independent spirit brought her to Milwaukee for a time to pursue work after graduation.

Upon returning to Flat Rock, she was set up on a blind date with Don Bugay. Don and Carol were united in marriage on Oct. 29, 1966, and made their home in Gladstone where they raised three wonderful daughters. Carol was many things: loyal wife, devoted mother who helped with all of her kids’ activities and interests, trustworthy friend, proud “Nana,” excellent cook who was famous for her homemade pickles and potato salad and won a contest with her clam chowder, lover of cats and hater of snakes. She loved gardening, canning, tending to her many plants and flowers, and spending time with family and many beloved friends at the family cottage on Big Murphy Lake. In her younger years, Carol loved to snowmobile, play many hands of cards, and enjoyed partying around a bonfire with friends.

Carol had a few different employers throughout the early years but her favorite “job” was being able to be a stay at home mom to raise her girls. She returned to the workforce once her kids were grown and eventually retired from Elmer’s County Market Deli. Her proudest accomplishment was her family, who miss her dearly already. Carol will live on through the smiles in her kids’ and grandkids’ faces, the recipes she has passed along, the example of loyalty and devotion she lived out with her loving husband, and the hours of phone calls she invested into her loved ones just to let them know how much she loved them. What they wouldn’t give for just one more conversation with Nana and her “I love you” sign-off.

In addition to Don, her doting husband of 52 years, Carol is survived by daughters, Jaylene (Matt) Aho, Kalin (John) Nash, and Amber (Mark) Allgeyer; brothers, Lee (Betty) VanDrese and Vern (Sherri Schorr) VanDrese; sisters, Grace Hughes and Dolores (Mike) Goymerac; grandchildren, Jacob and Troy Aho, Jack and Trevor Nash, Karlie (Travis Theuerkauf), Drew, and Morgan Allgeyer; and many nieces, nephews, cousins; numerous loyal friends including Carolyn Miller of Manistique, who never drove through town without stopping by to visit Carol, and Barb Bartley, who was always faithfully calling just to check in and chat.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Elmer and Evelyn VanDrese, and her brother-in-law, Chuck Hughes.

Carol’s family will receive friends on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba, Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 2 p.m. at All Saints Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating and a luncheon afterward in the All Saints Parish Hall. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements. Messages of condolences may be offered at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.