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Carole Schreckengust

July 11, 1939 - June 25, 2017
Douglas, MI

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Service

Sunday, July 9, 2017
2:30 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Community Church of Douglas
6874 Wiley Road
Douglas, MI 49406
(269) 857-1492

Visitation

Sunday, July 9, 2017
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Community Church of Douglas
6874 Wiley Road
Douglas, MI 49408
(269) 857-1492

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Community Church of Douglas
6874 Wiley Road
Douglas, MI 49406
(269) 857-1492

Love, Inc.
943 56th Street
Pullman, MI

Christian Neighbors
100 Peter Drive
Douglas, MI 49406

Life Story / Obituary


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Vivacious, generous, and kind, Carole Schreckengust lived her life centered in love, acceptance, and service to others. Firmly rooted in unwavering morals, Carole possessed an infectious smile and playful sense of humor that was a gift to all who knew her. A naturally optimistic soul, Carole’s heart often provided safe harbor for others during Life’s greatest challenges. A loving wife, devoted mother, and proud grandmother Carole embraced her roles with honor and enthusiasm leading her family by example and celebrating each day as a gift. Cherished by many, Carole’s beautiful life will long inspire those who knew her best.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1939 held much to celebrate, including the end to the Great Depression, the premieres of the classic film Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, regular television began to broadcast nationwide, and The World’s Fair in New York. As the US actively armed up for war, families continued to center their lives in love and hope for a brighter future. Nowhere was that hope more evident than in Zeeland, MI where Andrew and Janet Christensen welcomed their daughter Carole into their hearts and home on July 11th.

While Carole’s father provided for the family by working as a driver for Greyhound, her mother worked as a medical tech for Dr. Dykstra & Dr. DeWitt. Growing up on Lindy Street in Zeeland, Carole bore her position as the oldest of the Christensen’s six children with confidence. A natural student of life, Carole enjoyed her participation in Girls Scouts, exploring the outdoors, and reading. Carole especially loved to read books in the trees she climbed and she also loved to swim. When their father told them that they could have a pool if they dug the hole. Carole, Fae, Drew, Dana, Jan, and Cindi eagerly took on the challenge. With unwavering determination, the six kids worked together and successfully dug the hole by hand. As a result, they were the first family in Zeeland to have an in ground pool!

During her teen years, Carole played basketball, was on the yearbook staff and played in the High School band. She also spent many hours at Frank's in Zeeland having burgers and sodas while enjoying the good company of her many friends. After graduating from Zeeland High School in 1957, Carole attended Michigan State University for two years.

Carole met the love of her life, Bud Schreckengust in Douglas at the Wave Crest Restaurant. Bud was working a construction job in the area with his dad. The two began dating and soon realized their hearts were meant for one another. The happy couple married on May 14, 1960, at the Second Reformed Church in Zeeland. After their wedding celebration, Carole and Bud traveled to the Wisconsin Dells for their honeymoon. Unfortunately, they never saw the Dells because of rain.

Carole and Bud first set up house in a cottage in Saugatuck and drove a VW Beetle; neither of which had a heater! Regardless of the lack of heat, Carole’s natural warmth soon created a sense of home. Eventually, Carole and Bud took on the challenge of building their own home. Bud, his father, and his father-in-law lovingly built one room at a time as finances would allow. Over the course of several years, the home took shape and their family grew. In 1962 Carole and Bud welcomed their first child, Dawn Renee, in 1965 Darcy Kay was born, and in 1971 Dane Noland completed the family.

Nothing filled Carole’s heart like the joys of being a mother. Without a doubt, Carole was her children’s number one fan and she wholeheartedly supported each of their endeavors. In their mother’s sparkling eyes and warm embrace, the Schreckengust children always knew they were enough.

With an insatiable zest for life and care for others, Carole willingly served her community in a variety of ways.

She proudly volunteered as a Campfire leader and at the local elementary school helping many young people with their reading. From 1960-1968, Carole worked as a receptionist for Dr. Hayes and Dr. Nieusma in Douglas. From 1975-1983 she served as the Clerk/Treasurer for Village of Douglas, and in 1983 began her responsibilities of the Clerk for Saugatuck Township where she served for the next 20 years. The local Sno-Gooders, Saugatuck School’s Band and Athletic Boosters, Women Who Care of Saugatuck, and Cancer Fund Drives all benefitted from Carole’s passionate contributions over the years.

Carole’s pastimes and passions included pitching on her softball team for years, bowling, cheering on her beloved MSU Spartans, and boating. She relished in going to the beach, indulging in Sweet Savannah’s Key Lime Pie and Respite’s coffee, watching The Sound of Music, and reading her favorite book series. An accomplished knitter and seamstress, many of Carole’s loved ones benefitted from her gifts over the years. While she celebrated her faith as a member of the Community Church of Douglas, Carole’s true heart’s delight was any time she spent with her friends and family. Whether walking with friends, lunching with her sisters twice a week since the 80s, ardently cheering on her grandchildren, or hosting 30+ people for 50 years’ worth of Thanksgivings, Carole treasured each and every moment.

With her signature smile and steadfast good humor, Carole enveloped others with love and acceptance. She not only possessed infinite patience and an unwavering faith in the goodness of people, Carole had a natural gift for connecting with others; all were welcome in both her heart and home. An undauntable spirit, even in the face of Life’s darkest moments, Carole chose to find the gold in life, the best in people, hope for the day, and a way to inspire laughter in all the hearts around her.

Carole was a lovely woman whose gregarious and generous ways inspired all who knew her. She mastered living in the moment and living it fully. In so doing, she has gifted many with a powerful legacy of love and an example of how to live a great and meaningful life. Though the world is surely duller without Carole’s bright light, her vibrant legacy will continue to brilliantly shine in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind.

Carole L. Schreckengust, age 77, of Douglas died Sunday, June 25, 2017 at her home.

Preceded in death by her husband Noland “Bud” Schreckengust in 2003, a brother Drew Christensen, and sisters Dana Christensen and Fae Wightman.

Carole’s legacy is lovingly carried forward by her children: Dawn Schreckengust and fiancé Scott Fox of Saugatuck, Darcy Schreckengust and John Azar of Sleepy Hollow, IL and Dane and Lisa Schreckengust of Saugatuck; grandchildren: Alaina, Christian, Reece and Cayden; sisters: Jan and Rick Van Kley of Zeeland and Cindi and Glen Nykamp of Zeeland; sisters-in-law: Diane Christensen of Holland and Kay Spencer of Tucson, AZ; brother-in-law: Phil Wightman of Douglas; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life service in the gathering space from 2:30 – 3:00 pm on Sunday, July 9, 2017, at the Community Church of Douglas, 6874 Wiley Road in Douglas.

Reverend Joy Mullenbeck and Pastor Tom Stone will be officiating.

A gathering will follow the celebration from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

A private burial will be in Douglas Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Community Church of Douglas, Love, Inc., 943 56th Street, Pullman, MI or Christian Neighbors, 100 Peter Drive, Douglas, MI.

Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Home – Saugatuck Chapel.

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