Elizabeth "Betty" Goulais

Elizabeth (Betty) M. Goulais, aged 104, passed into eternity June 13, 2024. Betty was a 1939 Graduate of Escanaba Area High School. Betty spent her entire life

serving others starting after high school by attending Northwestern University School of Nursing. At the start of WWII, she enlisted in the newly formed Army

Air Corp graduating in the first class of nurses and was immediately sent on many assignments across the country. Betty served 4 years from 1942 to 1946, most

notably having the duty of receiving POWs from Dachau Concentration Camp in Ft Lauderdale, Fl eventually rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After the war, she

returned to nursing school and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1950.

On September 17, 1949 she married Donald K. Goulais also from Escanaba, with whom she shared 59 years of a loving marriage filled with cherished moments and laughter. Betty, always impeccably dressed and coiffed, enjoyed entertaining, traveling, golfing, and serving her community. Betty not only loved to dance, but was renowned as an excellent dancer, with all the moves of the War Years Music. In her high school yearbook, many of her classmates wrote as their goals and wishes “I want to dance like Betty.” Betty maintained her love of dancing throughout her life and danced far into her nineties.

Betty was also involved with Players De Noc and the instructor of the first School of Nursing at Bay De Noc College. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Michigan State Board of Health, Escanaba Country Club, and Bethany Lutheran Church.

Betty is survived by her children, Denise and Ed. Grandchildren, Cristy (Mark Bystry), Randall Anzalone, Jr. (Holly), Jeremy Anzalone (Sara), Allison Goulais (Mark Cannon), Justin Anzalone (Gabby Edmond), and Great Grandchildren, Holden, Maximilian, Aeslin, Isaac, Edie, Olive, Ellie, and Henry, and many dear friends.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. U.P. Nurses Honor Guard will conduct their nurse’s honors at 1:45 p.m., at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel, followed by funeral services with Rev. Lily Brondyke officiating. Veteran’s honors will be conducted at the conclusion of the funeral services. Entombment will be in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Delta County Historical Society or Bethany Lutheran Church of Escanaba, MI.

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