Obit: Bugar, Barbara A. (1932 – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bugar, Swing, Lawrence, Brostowitz, Hoesly, Scheel, Chemey, Kluck, La Barge, Miller, Ebert, Brussow, Thomas, Chamberlain

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 02/15/2017

Bugar, Barbara A. (2 APR 1932 – 20 FEB 2017)

Barbara A. Bugar, 84, formerly of Loyal, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. Services will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 24. Rev. John Swing will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, at Herman-Taylor Life Celebration Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, from 3-8 p.m., with a rosary service at 7 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Rosary Cemetery.

Barbara Lawrence was born on April 2, 1932, to Archibald and Olivette “Edna” Lawrence, at the Cook County Hospital in Evanston, Ill. She lived in the Chicago area until the age of 19. She studied and played classical piano for eight years. In 1951 she moved to Sigel, and worked at her parents’ tavern. Barbara met her first husband, Lawrence L. Brostowitz Sr., in 1951, and they married on Feb. 20, 1952. On their fi rst date, Lawrence asked her, “If I ask you to marry me would you convert to a Catholic and have 10 children?” Barbara answered, “Yes.” Lawrence was a farmer and died from cancer on Sept. 4, 1972. Until her first child was born, Barbara was employed by Montgomery Wards in Wisconsin Rapids (1952-53). In 1969 when Polly Ann was only 9 months old, Barbara discussed with Lawrence her desire to get a college education and earn a teaching degree. Following Lawrence’s passing in 1972, Barbara graduated on May 13, 1973, and was the fi rst “Mother of 11 Children” to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She taught and served as principal for 31 years: four years at St. Anthony in Loyal; 14 years at St. Mary’s in Greenwood; three years at Sacred Heart in Nekoosa; and six years at Holy Rosary in Medford. In 1991 she attained a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Barbara married Paul R. Bugar Sr. on May 4, 1974.

Paul was in trucking and died in an auto accident on March 3, 2007. Barbara welcomed Paul’s children into her family: Mary (Dean) Hoesly, Paul J. Bugar Jr., and Susann (Wayne Scheel) Bugar, and three grandchildren. Barbara is survived by her sister: Karen (Richard) Cherney of Junction City; and her 11 children: Lawrence (Lois) Brostowitz Jr., Barbara Ann (Chris) Kluck, Joanne (Bill) LaBarge, Peter (Denise) Brostowitz, Leonard (Vicki) Brostowitz, Mark (Sue) Brostowitz, Roxanne Miller, Suzanne (Dennis) Ebert, Paul Brostowitz, Diane (Rick) Brussow, and Polly Ann Thomas. Barbara expressed a great deal of pride in her 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents; her husbands, Lawrence and Paul; her sister Norma and brother-in-law Richard Chamberlain; and several relatives.