Burnetta Harriet Carress

Burnetta was born at Highland Park General Hospital in 1927 to Norman and Ruth Gribben.

She spent her entire youth in Highland Park, attending Highland Park High School, where she was the Captain of the swim team. Her first job was as a candy dipper at Vaer’s Very Best Chocolates.

It was in Highland Park where she met the love of her life Dean [Bud] Carress. They were married on September 13, 1947, after Bud returned home from WWII, at Highland Park Congregational Church.

Burnetta and Bud started their family shortly after. They enjoyed camping, sledding, and spending time together. In the early sixties, they bought a cottage on Lake Huron in Hammond Bay where they would spend summers and weekends with their children. After her children were grown, she started working for Manufacturers Bank.

Upon retiring they moved UpNorth to the cottage on Hammond Bay. Bud and Burnetta were active members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary with both holding positions. Their lifetime together was long and well lived. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary a week before Bud’s passing.

Burnetta was preceded in death by her husband, Dean E Carress. Her parents, Norman and Ruth Gribben. Her sister, Esther Kampe.

She is survived by her children, Donna Alexander, Jeff [Debbie] Carress, Tammi [Randy] Sanborn, Alison ]David] Stewart. Her 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral visitation for Burnetta will be held Friday, January 31, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.