Caroline Ruth Babcock-Elder

Caroline Ruth Babcock-Elder, 68, of Marquette and a lifelong Upper Peninsula resident, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side, on Thursday, May 21, 2009. She was born March 6, 1941, at the Hannahville Potawatomi Reservation in Harris, Michigan. She graduated from Rock High School's Class of 1959. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts from Northern Michigan University in 1985. Carol's work career began at the Michigan Tech Library, as an Acquisitions Clerk. She served as an Assistant to Director/Counselor for the American Indian Program at Northern Michigan University 1981 to 1984. She also worked as an Assistant Curator and late became the Curator for the Marquette County Historical Society 1986 to 1993. Later she worked at The Silver Crow in sales before retiring in 2006. Carol was an amazingly talented woman whose creativity knew no boundaries. She loved to paint, bead and sew beautiful creations. Her ability to make something out of nothing was renowned. She was a prolific painter, a talented beader and gifted sewer. She shared her talents with so many and left the world a more beautiful place to be. Carol was an accomplished artist and her paintings found their way to exciting locales such as the Smithsonian Institute and the Field Museum of Chicago. She was actively involved in the art community, lending her talents to the Oasis Gallery in Marquette, which she helped found. Carol was proud to be selected to be part of the Sisters of the Great Lakes Invitational Traveling Exhibit, which profiled Native American women artists. She also took pride in being part of the Art Embassies Program, as Carol's art was featured in the US Embassy in Berlin, Germany. She left her artistic mark wherever she went and her contributions will never be forgotten. She is survived by her husband, Sam Elder of Marquette; daughter, Sarah (Bill) Broda of Oshkosh, WI; two sons, Clay Babcock of Minneapolis, MN and Micah Babcock of Marquette; step-sons, Steve Elder of Marquette and Paul (Sarah) Elder of Grand Rapids, MI; sisters, Rose Marie (Allan) Johnson of Marquette, Lena Jane Meganuph of Hannahville, Brenda Meganuph of Hannahville; brothers, Russ (Judy) Dees of Marquette, George Meganuph of Hannahville, Emory Meganuph of Hannahville; nieces, Denise Johnson of Marquette and Kelly Dees of Scottsdale, AZ; nephews, Tory Dees of Phoenix, AZ and Kirk Johnson of Marquette; and grandchildren, Brandee Carriere, Matthew Babcock, Michael Johnson, Max Broda, Micah Babcock, Zachary Babcock and Amanda Babcock. Preceding Carol in death were her mother, Nina Thunder Meganuph, father, Carl Gurdeen, second mother, Ella Magnuson, brothers, Warren Meganuph, Donald and Arnold Dees. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Messiah Lutheran Church. A visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. will be held. A wake for Carol's Native American community will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Community Center in Hannahville. Burial will be on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Hannahville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial be directed to the American Cancer Society in Carol's memory. The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home of Marquette is assisting the family.