Barbara Bugar

1932 - 2017

Bugar, Barbara

Barbara A. Bugar, age 84, went to be with the Lord on February 20, 2017.

Services will be at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Friday, February 24, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. Rev. John Swing will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at Herman-Taylor Life Celebration Funeral Home from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. with a rosary service at 7:00 P.M and from 9:30 A.M. until time of services on Friday at the church. Burial will be at Holy Rosary Cemetery.

Born to Archibald and Olivette ("Edna") Lawrence on April 2, 1932, at the Cook County Hospital in Evanston, IL. Barbara lived in the Chicago area until the age of 19. She studied and played classical piano for 8 years. In 1951 she moved to Sigel, WI, and worked at her parents' tavern. Barbara met her first husband, Lawrence L. Brostowitz, Sr. in 1951 and they married on February 20, 1952. On their first date, Lawrence asked her, "If I ask you to marry me would you convert to a Catholic and have 10 children"? Barbara answered, "Yes". Lawrence was a farmer and died from cancer on September 4, 1972. Until her first child was born, Barbara was employed by Montgomery Wards in Wisconsin Rapids (1952-1953).

In 1969 when Polly Ann was only 9 months old, Barbara discussed with Lawrence her desire to get a college education and earn a teaching degree. Following Lawrence's passing in 1972, Barbara graduated on May 13, 1973, and was the first "Mother of 11 Children" to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She taught and served as principal for 31 years: 4 years at St. Anthony's in Loyal, WI; 14 years at St. Mary in Greenwood, WI; 3 years at Sacred Heart in Nekoosa, WI; and 6 years at Holy Rosary in Medford, WI. In 1991 she attained a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Barbara married Paul R. Bugar, Sr. on May 4, 1974. Paul was in trucking and died in an auto accident on March 3, 2007. Barbara welcomed Paul's children into her family: Mary (Dean) Hoesly, Paul J. Bugar, Jr., and Susann Bugar (Wayne Scheel), and three grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by her sister: Karen (Richard) Cherney of Junction City, WI; her eleven children: Lawrence (Lois) Brostowitz, Jr., Barbara Ann (Chris) Kluck, Joanne (Bill) LaBarge, Peter (Denise) Brostowitz, Leonard (Vicki) Brostowitz, Mark (Sue) Brostowitz, Roxanne Miller, Suzanne (Dennis) Ebert, Paul Brostowitz, Diane (Rick) Brussow, and Polly Ann Thomas. Barbara expressed a great deal of pride in her 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, husbands Lawrence and Paul, her sister Norma and brother-in-law Richard Chamberlain, and several relatives.