Caroline Julia Witkowski

Caroline Julia Witkowski a.k.a. “Bootsie”, age 77 of Free Soil, MI passed away May 28, 2025 in Kissimmee, FL.  She was born Oct. 18, 1947 in Manistee, MI and was the daughter of the late Joseph & Mildred (Flater) Terpak.

She was a 1965 graduate of Manistee High School.  Caroline married David Witkowski on May 18, 1968. They celebrated 57 years together before she passed.  She was employed with numerous local businesses throughout the years including, Glen of Michigan, Ben Franklin, Rich’s Daisy-a-Day Flower Shop and the Manistee Variety Store. She was also an activities coordinator at the Manistee Medical Care Facility.

She loved to travel.  She loved camping and the many cruises she spent with her husband and sister-in-law, Sandy.  She was a wonderful cook and loved to host themed picnics at her house for her family and friends.  After retiring, Carol and David became “snowbirds” as they resided in Florida during the winter months.  She even worked at Disney World while wintering in Florida.  It was in these years that she was able to work on and show off her creative side.  She started doing local arts and craft shows in the area with the support of her husband David and sister-in-law Sandy.  She enjoyed meeting new people and also engaging with her regular customers that would look for her yearly for the special crafts she made.  Within the last 5 years, her niece and God-daughter Ronda, started helping her with her arts and crafts shows and they both loved having this special time together.

Carol is survived by her husband David; her sister Sandra (Joe) Kitlaus; Sisters-in-law, Roseanne (Sandy) Calton and Janice Witkowski; Her nephew Rick Calton and nieces Ronda Fleetwood-Schimke, Tammy Foster, Lisa McDougall and Diana Witkowski-Kovalcik and many more nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her special fur babies, “Chewy”, “Calico” and Princess.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Walter and Elsie Witkowski and brother-in-law, John Witkowski.

A memorial service to celebrate Bootsie’s life will be held in Manistee in the spring of 2026.   Service date and details will be announced also in the Spring of 2026 as scheduling confirms. 

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.