Carol J. Brangar

Carol was born October 9, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Richard and Verna (Moilanen) Pietila. She grew up in Madison Heights, Michigan and North Carolina, before moving to West Ishpeming, Michigan in September 1966.

She was a graduate of Ishpeming High School, class of 1967. Carol attended Northern Michigan University. She married William “Bill” Brangar on December 16, 1970.

Carol had a sweet disposition and was a natural for retail sales. Throughout the years she worked as an Avon representative and as a salesclerk at Da Yoopers Tourist Trap. She enjoyed reading, movies, music, dancing, crocheting and scrapbooking. Carol was the family historian. She took photos and collected photos of her large extended family to create albums for her siblings and children. She also loved traveling and camping. Her most memorable trips were to lighthouses along the Great Lakes and the Atlantic coastline and camping with her family at McLain State Park.

Carol truly loved her family and was a devoted grandmother. She cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and loved attending the events they were involved in.

Carol is survived by two children – Bridget (Brangar) Seelen and Kevin (Tricia) Brangar, both of Ishpeming, a brother – Gordon (Karen) Lehtola of Moscow Mills, MO, a sister – Sheila (Michael) Sihtala of Ishpeming, a sister-in-law Michele (Frank) Bommarito of Maricopa, AZ, three grandchildren – Kaitlyn Seelen, Alexa Davis and Wil Brangar, nieces and nephews – Mary, Mandy, Kate, Michael, Adam, Jeremy, Bradley, Jesse and Kyle and numerous cousins.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband – William E. Brangar, a daughter – Kristi Brangar, her father – Richard Walter Pietila, her mother and step-father – Verna and Gordon J. Lehtola, a sister and brother-in-law – Sandra and John W. Koski and brothers – Richard Wayne Pietila and Ronald Pietila.

Immediate family and friends are invited to a celebration of Carol’s life at 5:00 PM on Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Crossbridge Church (119 Third Street) with Pastor Kevin McIlhany officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Crossbridge Church (P.O. Box 222, Ishpeming, MI 49849) in memory of Carol.

Carol’s obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhukie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.