Carmen M Besonen

Carmen M. Besonen (77), of Metamora Michigan, passed away on February 19, 2023 after a battle with metastasized breast cancer.

Carmen was born on March 26, 1945 to Idabelle and Robert Mayra of Escanaba, Michigan. Growing up, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1963. She went on to study Elementary Education and was a proud member of the very first graduating class from Bay De Noc Community College. There, Carmen earned her Associate's in Education, and then transferred to NMU where she received her BS in Secondary Ed with a major in English (class of 1968). She went on to be certified in Elementary Ed from CMU.

While attending NMU, she met and married her best friend, Stanley A. Besonen; they were married for 54 years, and both served their community as educators. Initially, Carmen taught 5th and 6th grade at Brampton Elementary, and then transferred to North Branch HS where she taught 10th grade English. Carmen and Stan then moved to Metamora, where she taught at White Jr. High for eight years; Carmen then landed a job at Murphy Elementary, where she taught 3rd grade for the last 16 years of her teaching career. She and Stan retired in 1993, after 25 years of service. After retirement, they enjoyed their time together living in Florida during the winter, and Michigan during the summer. Carmen leaves behind her loving husband, numerous nieces and nephews, and her brother Rory Mayra.

A brief, informal memorial service will be held in Carmen's honor at noon on Sunday, August 13 at Moss Lake (Isabella)Cemetery located at 24th Road/County Rd L22 off US 2 in Nahma Township (within Delta County). Following the memorial, a celebration of life will be held at her niece's house in Gladstone, Mi. Feel free to send inquiries regarding location to jodi.heard@gmail.com.