Carol passed away at Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, Michigan, on September 13, 2026, after a brief illness.

Carol was born on May 31, 1940, in Ishpeming, Michigan, to Leonard and Gertrude (Jokinen) Bietila. She and her older brother, Leonard Jr., grew up surrounded by loving aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and watched their family enjoy fame as world-class ski jumpers.

After graduating from Ishpeming High School, she attended Northern Michigan University and earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. She then taught in the Ishpeming Public Schools as an elementary teacher for 40 years. The bulk of those years were teaching kindergarten, a job she dearly loved and which matched her lifelong childlike joy and sense of whimsy.

While attending college, she met the love of her life, Jerry Bone, who preceded her in death in 2025. They were married for over 64 years. The couple settled in Ishpeming, where they had two children, Kevin, and Kimberly.

After retiring, the couple began splitting time between Ishpeming and Saginaw, in an effort to be closer to their children and grandchildren and escape the brutal UP winters, eventually relocating to Saginaw full-time.

Carol’s personality may have been somewhat overshadowed by her husband’s large presence, but she was highly intelligent, staunchly stubborn, and always possessed a sense of wonder about the beauty of the world around her. She loved puzzles, games, and reading, and spent a good portion of her day solving crossword puzzles, reading voraciously, and expressing her artistic side through coloring.

She will be remembered by her family and friends for how deeply she loved them, how considerate she was to others, and for her complete inability to understand sarcasm or puns. Also for the fact that she would be freezing and wrapped in a giant blanket even in 73-degree+ heat.

Carol is survived by her son Kevin (Bessie), daughter Kimberly, and beloved grandchildren Jacob and Karissa. She also leaves behind a large number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is very deeply missed, and her memory will remain a source of comfort and a blessing to all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held on a later date. Final details will be posted when finalized. The family is asking for any family, friends, or former students who have fond memories and/or photos of Carol to please send them to Kimberly to her email at kimberlybone1975@gmail.com. Donations in her memory can be made to Ishpeming Public Schools, or to any educational non-profit.