Corinne Bulygo Obituary

Corinne Bulygo, 97, of Gustine, CA, and formerly of Stockholm and Milbank, South Dakota, passed away on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Los Banos, California. 

Memorial Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Tabor Lutheran Church in Strandburg, SD. Burial will be at Tabor Lutheran Cemetery. Private family luncheon to follow in the church dining hall.

Corinne Judith (Berg) Bulygo, was born on August 11, 1926, the only child and daughter of David (DL) and Judith (Hedman) Berg of Stockholm, SD. Corinne spoke only Swedish until about age 5. For high school, Corinne completed the South Dakota Rural Education program at SDSU where the students were taught by local University professors. Corinne was opportunistic and did not pursue a college degree because her only choice at that time was in Home Economics. At age 17 she was instead offered a WWII job with the CAA (Civil Aeronautics Administration) but could not accept the position due to her young age. Her parents signed a waiver to allow Corinne to proceed with her desires. She was flown to Boeing Field in WA State for lengthy training as a speed key telegrapher. Upon graduation, she was sent to Nome Field, Alaska Territory, where she served her country well with Pride and Courage from 1944 until 1946. She exited Federal Government service after the war's end and moved back to Stockholm South Dakota, where she owned and operated the Koffee Kup Café in Stockholm from 1946-1963. She also continued to assist her mother in teaching the English language to arrivals who spoke only Swedish. She did so both prior to and after the War. To assist in learning the English language, she read Webster’s dictionary cover to cover. You could not win at Scrabble with her. In 1963, she sold both her café and Stockholm home and moved to Milbank where she worked for Milbank Mutual Insurance Company and attained the position of Steno Pool Supervisor. Her children enjoyed her annual midnight drives where she would stop the car as the sun came up - telling her children to watch all signs and landmarks for location - to then compute that location via the Rand McNally master map. Her children were taught that you are never lost, you are just some place you have never been. Corinne was noted as the local Pinochle expert and loved her fast Hot Rod cars. She moved her family to California in 1969 for employment at UTC Rocket Test Center of San Jose, CA (today's Silicon Valley). Just one year later, Corinne was hired into the San Jose CA Police Department (SJPD) and attained a Supervisor position under world-renowned Police Chief Joseph McNamara. Her SJPD service included a rewrite of SJPD's training methodology and manuals. She was, after all, a wordsmith. After 17 years with SJPD she retired to Gustine, CA in 1988. She was known to many for being a Wanderer, Traveler, Clever Intellect, Industrious, Ethical and always respectful of all cultures and Native Indians - especially Sioux and Alaskan Intuit tribes. Her zest for knowledge led her to travel to all 50 States (her License Plate BN2AL50), multiple Canada Provinces, Europe, North Africa and Southeast Asia. 

Corinne is survived by her sons: Anthony (Mary) Bulygo of Bakersfield, CA; William (Diane) Bulygo of Apple Valley, MN; Charles (Michelle) Bulygo of Austin, TX; Daniel (Flor) Bulygo of Gustine, CA; Dominic (Vera) Bulygo of Snohomish, WA; and daughter, Wileen Bulygo Reupke of Brooklyn Center MN; and her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Corinne was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Sherry (Larry) Oliphant.

 

In lieu of flowers or cards, please make a personal donation to the Alzheimer's Association or whichever beneficial organization of your preference in Corinne's name.

Written by Corinne's family.