Alex Bugarske

Alex Frank Bugarske, 87 of Ripon, WI, died Monday afternoon, January 20, 2003, at the Orlando Regional/St Cloud Hospital in St Cloud, FL. Alex was spending the winter in Florida and was very blessed to be staying with Jim and Linda Lueck. Six days earlier, Alex had driven himself to the hospital knowing that he had pneumonia and in spite of everyone’s heroic efforts, he took his last breath with his children by his side.
Alex was the oldest son of Sam and Josephine Bugarske and was born on August 13, 1915 in Crivitz, WI. The Bugarskes owned and operated the Hillside Dairy just outside of Crivitz for over 35 years and until Alex was drafted into the Army in 1941, he helped make Hillside Dairy a mainstay in the Crivitz community.
After training in Wyoming, California and Washington, Alex was part of the European and Pacific Campaigns during World War II. He received 6 service medals and was Honorably Discharged at Camp McCoy, WI in November 1945. Alex married L’Louise Gose, also from Crivitz, in 1946. L’Louise was a recent Ripon College graduate and teaching in Mineral Point but postponed her teaching career as they began their life together in Chicago and subsequently gave birth to their first three children, Dick, Lee, and Judy. In 1952, the family moved to New London, WI where daughters Colleen, Patricia, and Bette were born and Alex & L’Louise owned and operated the Red Own grocery store. In 1957 the family moved to Manawa, WI where son Bob and daughters Kay and Janet were born. Alex & L’Louise owned and operated Al’s Park and Shop grocery store, and Alex helped his fellow Lions bring the first RCA Rodeo in town. In 1965 the family moved to Ripon and for two years built, owned and operated Ripon’s first Dairy Queen. In 1966, Alex began work at Speed Queen until his retirement. During retirement, L’Louise and Alex traveled extensively throughout the United States visiting their family and escaping the cold winters of Wisconsin
Alex was preceded in death by his wife, L’Louise and son Lee George Bugarske. He is survived by his six daughters, Judith Kathryn Kirkeeide (Richard) of Kingwood, TX, Colleen Sue Basiliades (Sergio) of Occidental, CA, Patricia Lynn Crosley (Stephen) of Santa Rosa, CA, Bette Jo Bahnaman (Richard) of Manitowoc, WI, Kathryn May Miller (Robert) of Portage, Ml, and Janet Louise Barrett (Kent) of St Charles, IL; two sons,




Richard Alex Bugarske (Claudia) of Healdsburg, CA and Robert Jay Bugarske of Stevens Point, WI. Alex is also survived by 19 loving grandchildren, Aaron, Jordan & Kate Bugarske, Laurel & Jan Kirkeeide, Demi, Andre & Dana Basiliades, Renee & Cameron Crosley, Ryan & Daniel Bahnaman, Jodanna & Raenee Bugarske, Julia, MacKinzie & Robert Miller, Shannon & Brian Barrett and 1 great-grandchild, Caden Bugarske. Alex is also survived by dear friend, Linda Lueck.
Alex was a man of great strength of character who believed that hard work, honesty, common sense, and the hand of God would provide for anyone as they journeyed through life. He was always mindful that he was the son of immigrants to America who had made a life for themselves and their family. Alex loved his family as they stretched out into one, two and three generations. He was proud of their accomplishments, and enjoyed displaying all of their pictures.
Alex lived each day wanting to be a part of tomorrow. Alex Bugarske, a life well lived.
A memorial service for Alex will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2003, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 401 W Fond du Lac St., Ripon, WI. The Rev. David A. Busker will officiate. lnurnment will be at Dartford Cemetery, Green Lake. Memorial contributions in Alex’s memory may be made to the Ministries Fund of the Ripon Immanuel United Methodist Church.
Alex will be dearly missed and remembered always by his family and friends.

Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com