Carol Jean Blum, age 81 of Brodhead, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 8th, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was born in Monroe, WI on October 19th, 1936, to William and Rose (Mahlkuch) Zuhlke.
Carol graduated from Monroe High school in 1954 and Green County Teacher's College in 1956. From 1956 -1958, Carol taught grades 1-8 at West Clarno School, a one room schoolhouse.
She married the love of her life William "Bill" Blum on December 27, 1957 and due to her teaching responsibilities, the wedding was scheduled during her holiday break. They would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this year.
She was a devoted wife and homemaker. Carol and Bill farmed side by side milking cows, caring for the farmland, driving tractor, gardening and raising four children in the Juda area. Carol was an avid bowler in her younger years. Bill and Carol always had a very special group of friends and cousins who still met for monthly lunch dates to catch up.
Carol developed a passion for baking and decorating cookies and cakes. Her wedding cakes were works of art that tasted spectacular. One local wedding photographer stated he always knew just by the beautiful decorating and aroma of the sweet frosting that it was a "Carol Blum cake" and that everyone was in for a treat. Her decorated cookies were the highlight of many Christmas celebrations in Green County. Carol was called the "cookie queen" as she would bake 120 dozen cookies every Christmas for many years. She would bring to life people's visions with her crafty skills and decorating talents. Carol was a "jack of all trades" in the crafting world as she made floral arrangements for her daughters' weddings, sewed outfits for her children, did needlepoint, ceramics, fabric painting and sewed quilts for the family. She also enjoyed canning and playing cards. Later in life, Bill started cutting beautiful scenes with a scroll saw and Carol was the painter of his creations. The treasures they made are some of their family's favorite keepsakes.
Carol enjoyed spending her days with family. They meant the world to her. She delighted in seeing her family grow and the addition of grandchildren and great grandbabies. All of them brought a special sparkle to her eyes.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Blum of Brodhead; her four children Laurie Thommen of Brodhead, Cherri Fields (Tom Ferguson) of Monroe, Greg (Kathy) Blum of Iola, WI, and Julie (Pat) Harrington of Madison; 10 grandchildren, Chris (Dawn) Thommen, Eric (Darci) Thommen, Cara (Sean) Shea, Kevin (Beth) Fields, Mark (Amanda) Fields, Liz Blum, Mike Blum, Nick Blum, Jenna Harrington, and Jayci Harrington; 6 great-grandchildren, Christian, Nathan, and Haley Thommen, Cillian Shea, Mack Fields, and Violet Thommen. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Jerold Zuhlke, and son-in-law, Chris Thommen, Jr.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, with Carl Clair officiating. Interment will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Juda, followed by a memorial luncheon at the Juda Community Center. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A memorial fund will be established in Carol's name. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomefuneralhome.net.
Carol graduated from Monroe High school in 1954 and Green County Teacher's College in 1956. From 1956 -1958, Carol taught grades 1-8 at West Clarno School, a one room schoolhouse.
She married the love of her life William "Bill" Blum on December 27, 1957 and due to her teaching responsibilities, the wedding was scheduled during her holiday break. They would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this year.
She was a devoted wife and homemaker. Carol and Bill farmed side by side milking cows, caring for the farmland, driving tractor, gardening and raising four children in the Juda area. Carol was an avid bowler in her younger years. Bill and Carol always had a very special group of friends and cousins who still met for monthly lunch dates to catch up.
Carol developed a passion for baking and decorating cookies and cakes. Her wedding cakes were works of art that tasted spectacular. One local wedding photographer stated he always knew just by the beautiful decorating and aroma of the sweet frosting that it was a "Carol Blum cake" and that everyone was in for a treat. Her decorated cookies were the highlight of many Christmas celebrations in Green County. Carol was called the "cookie queen" as she would bake 120 dozen cookies every Christmas for many years. She would bring to life people's visions with her crafty skills and decorating talents. Carol was a "jack of all trades" in the crafting world as she made floral arrangements for her daughters' weddings, sewed outfits for her children, did needlepoint, ceramics, fabric painting and sewed quilts for the family. She also enjoyed canning and playing cards. Later in life, Bill started cutting beautiful scenes with a scroll saw and Carol was the painter of his creations. The treasures they made are some of their family's favorite keepsakes.
Carol enjoyed spending her days with family. They meant the world to her. She delighted in seeing her family grow and the addition of grandchildren and great grandbabies. All of them brought a special sparkle to her eyes.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Blum of Brodhead; her four children Laurie Thommen of Brodhead, Cherri Fields (Tom Ferguson) of Monroe, Greg (Kathy) Blum of Iola, WI, and Julie (Pat) Harrington of Madison; 10 grandchildren, Chris (Dawn) Thommen, Eric (Darci) Thommen, Cara (Sean) Shea, Kevin (Beth) Fields, Mark (Amanda) Fields, Liz Blum, Mike Blum, Nick Blum, Jenna Harrington, and Jayci Harrington; 6 great-grandchildren, Christian, Nathan, and Haley Thommen, Cillian Shea, Mack Fields, and Violet Thommen. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Jerold Zuhlke, and son-in-law, Chris Thommen, Jr.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, with Carl Clair officiating. Interment will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Juda, followed by a memorial luncheon at the Juda Community Center. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A memorial fund will be established in Carol's name. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomefuneralhome.net.