Paula Jean Bogaski

Paula Jean (Hird) Bogaski, our loving and devoted mother, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96, October 28th, 2021, in San Dimas, CA, where she has been lovingly cared for by her daughter Patrice for many years. She was born March 31, 1925, in Cuba City, Wisconsin to Genevieve Clara (McKenna) and Wilbur Everett Hird. She met Donald James Bogaski during WWII when he was temporarily stationed in Wisconsin, and they were married soon after in 1945. They made their home in Grand Rapids, MI, spent summers at Big Whitefish Lake and were married for 57 years until he passed away in 2002. Paula lived a very full life as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend to many, and shared her strong faith, love of reading, music, travel, flowers, cooking, and playing tennis. She especially loved to play golf and was very competitive, winning golf trophies well into her 70’s. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was generous helping others. During the time she was raising her family; she also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Aquinas College and taught French at Forest Hills High School. Paula was very active in her church, and in later years started and led a prayer group with her many good friends at St. Louise de Marillac Church in San Dimas, CA. Paula instilled her children with her strong values that have served them well, as well as her feistiness and quick wit. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and passed down many Irish idioms to her family throughout her life, which we will always remember. She is survived by her six children, Phyllis (James) Kubiak, Linda (Daniel) DePuydt, Patrice Hayden, James Bogaski, Kathleen Bogaski, and Joseph (Kim) Bogaski; eight grandchildren, Christopher, Kristin and Stephanie Kubiak, Brian (Carrie) DePuydt and Rev. Marc DePuydt, Ryder and Cameron Bogaski, and Michael (Anne) Hayden; great granddaughter McKenna Hayden; and by her brother Lyle (Carol) Hird and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. Paula was preceded in death by her parents, beloved daughter-in-law, Linda (Facca) Bogaski, and her siblings and in-laws, Rose Mary (James) Gille, Joseph (Mary) Hird, Charles (Joan) Hird and Carol Heivilin. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Please join the family for visitation on Thursday, Nov. 11 from 6 – 8 pm at the Bliss Witters & Pike Funeral Home, 13603 Northland Dr, NE, Cedar Springs where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 pm. The funeral mass will be held at Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, 1 W. Maple St., Sand Lake, on Friday, Nov. 12 at 11:00 am. Interment Pierson Cemetery. Family or friends wishing to honor Paula Bogaski are invited to make a memorial contribution in her name to Mary Queen of Apostles Church or to Rev. Marc DePuydt’s religious order, Family of Mary at P.O. Box 477, Milan, IL 61264.