Obituary of Carol Ann Howard

Carol Ann Howard, 82 of Owendale, passed away from a long illness Tuesday May 6, 2025 at McLaren Thumb Regional Hospital in Bad Axe.

Carol was born in Saginaw on July 16, 1942, the daughter of Ernest and Catherine Fredenburg. Her childhood years were spent in Birch Run and Cedarville where her parents owned and operated local taverns. This family business eventually led Carol to Owendale just prior to entering high school. She would graduate from Owendale-Gagetown Area High School in 1960. Her proudest achievement was being voted “prettiest eyes” due to her beautiful, beautiful blue eyes. Those eyes were not lost on a young man named Walter Howard. The two started dating soon after Carol arrived in town and that love never ended. Walt and Carol dated throughout high school, and they were married on May 6, 1961, ironically 64 years to the day of Carol’s passing. They both affectionately called each other the love of their lives, and few could argue that. Walter would soon become the mayor of Owendale and for decades if you called the house their answering machine would affectionately refer to them as “The President and 1^st Lady.” The small community turned into the backdrop for their entire married lives. They would reside in the same home on 3^rd Street in Owendale for over 60 years. Walt and Carol would raise three sons, Arnie, Scott, and Kendall. However, the way their home operated it is impossible to count how many children in the community called their little two-story house a second “home.” The front door was literally always open, always a seat available at the dinner table or a cold drink in the refrigerator. One of Carol’s favorite things was being able to cater to any and all who walked through the door. She will always be remembered for her selflessness and her uncanny ability to give anything she had for the betterment of others. Carol was diagnosed at a young age with Rheumatoid Arthritis which did its best to slow her down. For over 50 years every step or action came with some version of pain. No matter the task or obstacle that faced her, she always found a way to overcome. A stronger person our family has never known. A few of Carol’s favorite things were baking desserts and cooking holiday dinners for her entire family. She loved attending everyone’s ball games, truly our family’s biggest fan. She enjoyed shopping and traveling with her sisters Nancy and Kay and some of her best friends Leann and Vicki. If anyone ever wanted to stop by to play a game of cards, it truly made her day. She loved going for bike rides, knitting, going to bingo, she was very proud of the Waterball trophies won by her team that were housed in the firehall uptown, gardening, family trips to Tawas and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She dedicated her entire life to her family and that love and dedication will live on for years to come.

Carol is survived by her loving sons, Arnold (Loretta) Howard of Owendale, Kendall Howard of Owendale; her grandchildren Derek (Andrea) Howard of Sebewaing, Cody (Kristi) Howard of Marlette, Drew (Stephanie) Howard of Caro, Josh Howard of Caseville, Chase Howard of Owendale; great-grandchildren Noah, Alivea, Paige, Wesley, Amberlyn, Jackson and Emma; brother-in-law Dale Hauck of Bridgeport and sister-in-law Kay Kling of Essexville; along with many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents Ernest and Catherine Fredenburg, sisters Nancy Hauck, Kay Swift and brother Ernie Fredenburg and son Scott Howard.  

The family will honor Carol’s wishes that in lieu of a visitation and funeral service she will be cremated and her ashes will be placed together with Walter’s. The couple will be buried together during a private service at the Grant Township Cemetery at a date yet to be determined this summer.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.