Carol L. Richardson (Meisel)

Carol Louise (Meisel) Richardson passed away Friday, April 13, 2018 at her home at Bay City Comfort Care surrounded by her family at the age of 90 years. She was born in Bay City on December 20, 1927 to the late Julius and Emma (Oppenlander) Meisel. Carol was a graduate of Bay City Central High School and attended Bay City Junior College before graduating from the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Carol married Dexter Woodruff Richardson on April 21, 1951, he preceded her in death on August 23, 1971. Carol was a devoted mother and friend, known by all as cheerful, personable, independent, and generous. She was an accomplished quilter, and those fortunate to receive pieces of her work cherish them. She enjoyed traveling and took numerous bus tours around the United States. For a number of years Carol and a group of friends went to Keeneland, Kentucky in the spring for the horse race. They always stayed in the same hotel and occupied the same seats at the racetrack year after year, until one year the group was featured in an article in the Keeneland program and made honorary Kentucky colonels. One of her last adventures was an impromptu trip to Iceland which her family believes even surprised her. She was also quietly devoted to her favorite charities; The Good Samaritain Rescue Mission, Delta College Public TV, The U of M School of Nursing, the Friends of the Bay County Libraries, and the American Cancer Society. Memorial contributions may be made to any of these and would honor her memory. Carol loved her family and friends and was much loved by them in return. She will be greatly missed, but live always in their memories.
Carol is survived by her daughter, Marcy Louise (Ron Jr.) Hegenauer of Bay City; sons, Dexter Meisel Richardson of Winter Park, FL and Dirk Woodruff (Valerie) Richardson of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Ron (Stacie) Hegenauer III, Ryan (Kerry) Hegenauer, Faith (Chris) Tansel and Alexandra Blinn Richardson; step-grandchildren, Melissa Harding, Robert Hubler, and Nancy Bernreuter; great grandchildren, Ronnie IV, Madelyn, and Mason; step-great granddaughter, Brook. In addition to her parents and husband, Carol was also preceded in death by her sons, Eric William in May of 1967 and Rolf Alan in December of 2017.
Funeral and committal services will take place on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Joseph Atchinson. Friends may visit with the family at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Carol's family wishes to thank all of the amazing people at Bay City Comfort Care, both residents and staff that helped to make their mom feel loved and well cared for. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.GephartFuneralHome.com