Carole Anne Daniels

Carole Anne (Vrany) Daniels, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 with her devoted husband by her side. Carole was born on December 20, 1936, in Traverse City, Michigan. The oldest of six siblings, she was a loving and generous sister. She was a 1954 graduate of St. Francis High School and earned degrees from Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids and Wayne State University. Carole met her husband, Donald F. Daniels, at the Dakota Inn Rathskellar in Detroit where she was out with friends celebrating the birth of her first niece. They married exactly one year later on November 9, 1963. A dedicated nurse, educator, and mentor, Carole’s career included positions at Munson Hospital, Mercy School of Nursing of Detroit as a faculty member, and the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. She had wonderful friends among her fellow nurses and still hears from her former students and those she encouraged to pursue a career in nursing thanking her for the impact she had on them. Carole was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. While working full time, she also maintained an immaculate house and cooked dinner from scratch every night. A model of efficiency, Carole could pack 4 lunches in under 10 minutes, read two newspapers from front to back every night, and still ensure she was always, always there for her family with unwavering love and support. In her free time, Carole was an enthusiastic football fan. She enjoyed cheering for the Detroit Lions, Michigan State Spartans, and the University of Michigan Wolverines. After returning to her family home in Traverse City upon retirement, Carole relished time with her family and grandchildren who have wonderful memories of her at the Cherry Festival, backyard BBQs, holiday celebrations, and excursions to the beach and favorite shops. Carole is survived by her husband of 61 years, Don Daniels; daughter Karen (Kurt) Ruedisueli; son Michael; grandchildren Gage, Kailyn, and Grace Daniels and Kate and John Ruedisueli; siblings Terry (Patti) Riley, John Riley, Kathy (Robert) Nadai; and many nieces and nephews. Carole was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph “Butch” Vrany, Georgette (Kroupa) Riley, and John D. Riley; brother Pat Riley and sister Reenie Riley. Carole’s family would like to extend special thanks to the caregivers at Orchard Creek Senior Living for their compassion and care. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am Wednesday, May 28 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with visitation beginning at 10am. The family asks that Carole be remembered through memorial contributions to the Carmelite Monastery of Traverse City.

Carole Anne Daniels

December 20, 1936 - May 20, 2025