Aug. 1, 1942 — Feb. 5, 2018

Carol Marlene Gifford Nace, 75, of Dowagiac, passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2018 at West Woods of Niles.

Carol was born Aug. 1, 1942, in Dowagiac to Marshall Leroy and Edna Barbara (Rosenbaum) Gifford. She graduated with the class of 1960 from Dowagiac High School. Carol later graduated from Elkhart University of Medical and Dental Technique as a Registered Medical Laboratory Technician. She worked at Lakeview General Hospital in Battle Creek. On Sept. 26, 1962, Carol married John “Bill” Nace at the First Christian Church in Dowagiac.

Carol had been brought up in and was a member of the First Christian Church of Dowagiac until 1975. She was twice President of Christian Women’s Fellowship. In 1975, the family moved to First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac. She served twice as President of United Methodist Women. She was active with the Sunday school, ad board and funeral luncheon committee. In 2005, she and her husband joined Silver Creek United Methodist Church where she was active with funeral luncheons and various committees.

Carol and Bill were master gardeners and taught a Junior Master Gardening class at Justus Gage School for three years. They also ran a plant business called Carol’s Perennials for many years and sold plants at farmer’s markets.

From 1977 to 1987, Carol was group leader of the hot lunch program at Justus Gage School. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking and gardening and especially growing flowers from seeds. She was active in the old Dowagiac Nursing Home Auxiliary and served as President for several years and was in charge of Thursday Bingo for many years. Carol volunteered at Cass County Council on Aging with a pen pal program, etiquette workshop, and helping with medical transportation with her husband. She taught adults to read through the Laubauch Reading Program. Carol also enjoyed camping and was a member of Rolling Shamrocks out of Berrien Springs.

Carol is survived by her husband Bill; sons David and Mark; five grandchildren; brother Roger (Ann) Gifford; nieces Diane Maxey Hart and Erin Beals and nephew Erick Gifford.

She was preceded in death by her parents; half-brother Max Maxey and twin sisters Betty and Beverly Gifford.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Silver Creek United Methodist Church, 31994 Middle Crossing Road, Dowagiac with Pastor Sara Carlson and Pastor Roger Gifford officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at clarkch.com.