Barbara Ruth (Bugg) Pease

Barbara Ruth (Bugg) Pease, age 87, of Munising died unexpectedly on Wednesday June 22, 2022 following a lengthy illness. She was born on August 3, 1934 in Grand Marais to Bernard and Saima (Olli) Bugg.  Barb grew up in Grand Marais, left school and lived a brief time downstate, then moved to and remained in Munising. She returned to night school and graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1967.

She married Vernon Pease on March 31, 1963 and together raised their family. Barb and Vern lovingly opened their home to any family member or friend than needed a place to go.

Barb was a hard-working woman, wife, mom, and gramma. She worked in a variety of jobs including food service and housekeeping in local restaurants and hotels, bookkeeping and clerical work at a law firm, Kimberly Clark, Cleveland Cliffs, and Superior Health Haven. Barb also provided licensed day care in her home and worked for five years as a licensed Nurse’s Aide at Superior Shores. She particularly enjoyed working at Horseshoe Falls and meeting the customers who came to the Gift Shop.

Munising Baptist Church was her church home in her later years, and often hosted Bible Study at her home. She found many close friendships within the church family.

Barb found enjoyment in many activities and hobbies. When it came to sports, she had a very competitive nature, whether it be in golfing, bowling, playing pool, throwing horseshoes, or playing badminton in her yard. In the winter she loved to ice skate and cross country ski. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and needlework, and won ribbons for making doll clothing and other needlecrafts at the Ionia Free Fair and the Michigan State Fair. Gardening, four-wheeling, being outside in nature, and going to deer camp with Vern were among her favorite activities. She was a tough woman with plenty of SISU, helping Vern in his logging business and in clearing land to build their home. She also built a brick and stone fire place inside the house and an outdoor brick fire place for cooking.

Barb and Vern wintered in Florida for many years. It was right before Vern died that her fourth grandchild was born. Barb’s grieving for Vern and life was changed when she became a daily part of Bryce’s life. Bryce was Barb’s favorite person. She continued to enjoy her winters in the Sunshine State and some of her most favorite times were when family came to visit. Barb would spend hours in every park that Bryce wanted to visit and she would ride any roller coaster with him.

Barb NEVER missed a Mustang game or wrestling match. It did not matter what the weather was or in what state of health she was experiencing. She loved her family and cherished being a gramma.

Having company around her large round table was one of her great delights. She was an intelligent, loving and caring woman.

Barb is survived by her children – Dave Erbes of Ionia and Barbie (Ken) Bowerman of Munising; grandchildren whom she loved dearly – Damon (Heather) Bowerman of Las Vegas, Wesley Bowerman of Denver, Shea Bowerman of Phoenix, and Bryce Bowerman of Munising, and she was “great gramma old” to Kyra and Braxton. She is also survived by her sister – Bonnie Frederick of Munising, Sisters-in-law Mary (Bob) Lee of Gladstone and Judy (Bob) Weidenhaft of Green Bay as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Barb was preceded in death her husband of 39 years Vern on October 19, 2002, by her parents, Bernard and Saima Bugg, sister and brother-in-law Carolyn “Carrie” and Jim Cook, and brothers Bernard “Bernie” and James (Jim) Bugg. Also preceding her in death were her brother-in-law Dean Frederick, mother-in-law and father-in-law Willard and Gertrude Pease, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jackie and Leo MacArthur.

Services will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will officiate Barb’s funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.