Nola Arlene Bryan, lifelong resident of Lowell, Michigan, went home to be with Jesus on May 2, 2026.
Nola is lovingly remembered by her children Bernie (Barbara) Bryan, Ken (Karen) Bryan, Todd (Victoria) Bryan, and Lance (Colleen) Bryan; grandchildren Megan (Joseph) Jankowski, Martha and Will Bryan, Claire Bryan (Lukas Chesla), and Audrey (Spencer) Havens; great-grandchildren Carter and Molly Jankowski and Hadley and Foster Havens. She is also survived by her sister, Beverly Anderson and several nieces and nephews.
Nola met her future husband Richard in second grade! They were married shortly after high school graduation and soon after, built a family together in Lowell. After nearly 68 years of marriage, Richard passed away in 2022. Nola and Richard loved to dance, travel, take road trips with friends, and attend activities of their grandchildren. Imagining them reunited by dancing and celebrating together brings peace and comfort.
Nola worked as a library assistant at Bushnell Elementary in Lowell for many years. Her fun hats, costumes, and stuffed animals helped numerous children to develop a love for reading and books.
Nola was inducted into the Gus Macker Hall of Fame as one of the 25 Greatest Mackers, an honor of which she was so proud. From the beginning days in the driveway in Lowell, Nola volunteered to do any number of tasks for the Mackers. She displayed her love for them by sporting Macker apparel until the very end of her life.
Sincere thanks to the staff and Optimal Care hospice team at Maple Ridge Manor in Lowell, who provided love and skilled care to Nola for 1 ½ years.
As she requested, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Flat River Outreach Ministries in Lowell. Please join us for a celebration of Nola and Richard’s lives on Saturday, June 13 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Maple Ridge Manor in Lowell, 12020 Foreman St. SE, Lowell, MI 49331.
9 Responses
A wonderful mother in law to me, Nola will be greatly missed.💕
Aunt Nola will be missed
Our deepest sympathy, Ken and Karen.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ♥️
With such great and fond memories from ALL the WAY BACK, we celebrate Aunt Nola’s life of love, authenticity, giggles galore, genuine laughter, and service: truly a life well-lived❣️
What a blessing we shared having her as our aunt and friend.
Glad now, she is back in the arms of the love of her life, Uncle Dick imagining them now smiling gently upon us.
Rest in Perfect Peace.
We shall meet again, but hopefully not too soon 😅
I’m so sorry to hear the news. Dick sold the house next door to Jane and me in the spring of 1979. I’m still here after 47 years. Nola was so kind and helpful to us. She and Jane would regularly spend time talking about “teacher” stuff. No doubt, she will be missed by her family and many in the community.
Kenny,
Your Mom was so thoughtful and kind. Sending loving sympathy to you and your family.
Meg
One of the last few relatives of her generation in my family she will be fondly remembered and missed
I taught at Bushnell when Nola was the library assistant. She was always so helpful finding the right book for my class and saving my favorite holiday books to check out each year. Aside from work, Dick and Nola hosted the best pool parties when they lived in town. I have great memories of those fun times.
I know Nola will be missed. She was one in a million!
Thanks for everything Nola! You are my American mother.