Carolyn M. Hayes, 70, Kronenwetter, died peacefully on December 29, 2010, at Mount View Care Center in Wausau.
Carolyn was born August 17, 1940, in Janesville, to Melvin and Mildred (Kundert) Wendler.
She graduated from Brodhead High School and Madison Business College before working as a bookkeeper at Brown's Book Store in Madison throughout the 1960's. While in Madison, she joined the Beta Omicron chapter of the service organization Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) International. Through ESA, Carolyn made life-long friends while volunteering at Madison's Central Colony, fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and completing other charitable projects.
On December 12, 1969, Carolyn married Forrest A. Hayes at St. Rose Catholic Church in Brodhead. The couple moved to rural Waunakee where Carolyn became a full-time wife, mother, and community volunteer. Carolyn served as the Town of Westport Treasurer, taught religious education for St. John Catholic Church, joined the American Legion Auxiliary, delivered Meals on Wheels, and volunteered with the Commission on Aging.
In 1985, the Hayes family moved to the Wausau area. Once again, Carolyn dedicated herself to her community, faithfully working the Kronenwetter elections; driving school bus for students in the D. C. Everest Area School District; volunteering for groups like Wisconsin AIDS Walk, Relay for Life, and the American Heart Association; acting as WDREL treasurer; and serving St. Mark Catholic Church as a lector, coordinator of religious education, and baptism instructor. Though leaving Waunakee was painful, Carolyn always said she was rewarded by the welcoming St. Mark community and her special church lady friends throughout the area.
When not engaged in a community activity, Carolyn could be found playing with her grandchildren, hunting with Forrest, cooking for Jennifer and Dan, traveling to visit family, enjoying a pancake breakfast, gathering with the birthday ladies, baking bread and pies, taking an early morning walk, reading about current events, making smart remarks, celebrating her Swiss heritage, or sending birthday and anniversary cards to countless friends and family members, all while whistling joyfully.
Carolyn believed in her great-grandmother's saying, "You might as well laugh as cry," and made a conscious choice each day to live her life as a ministry to others.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Forrest of Kronenwetter; daughter, Jennifer (Dan) Rauscher of Rothschild; grandchildren Katherine and Nathan Rauscher of Rothschild; siblings Elvan (June) Wendler of Footville; Marjory (Jim) Jacobson of Whitewater, Samuel Wendler of Chicago, IL, Mary (Larry) Whitehead of Juda, Michael Wendler of Monroe, and Nancy Rivet of Henniker, NH; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends who will all miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Frederick Wendler; her sisters Deborah Wendler, Jane Lewis, and Susan Knight; and her granddaughters Sarah and Emily Rauscher.
Memorial mass will be at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at St. Mark Parish, 602 Military Road, Rothschild. The Rev. Allan Slowiak will officiate. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 4, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Brainard Funeral Home - Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be sent to www.brainardfuneral.com
Carolyn was born August 17, 1940, in Janesville, to Melvin and Mildred (Kundert) Wendler.
She graduated from Brodhead High School and Madison Business College before working as a bookkeeper at Brown's Book Store in Madison throughout the 1960's. While in Madison, she joined the Beta Omicron chapter of the service organization Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) International. Through ESA, Carolyn made life-long friends while volunteering at Madison's Central Colony, fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and completing other charitable projects.
On December 12, 1969, Carolyn married Forrest A. Hayes at St. Rose Catholic Church in Brodhead. The couple moved to rural Waunakee where Carolyn became a full-time wife, mother, and community volunteer. Carolyn served as the Town of Westport Treasurer, taught religious education for St. John Catholic Church, joined the American Legion Auxiliary, delivered Meals on Wheels, and volunteered with the Commission on Aging.
In 1985, the Hayes family moved to the Wausau area. Once again, Carolyn dedicated herself to her community, faithfully working the Kronenwetter elections; driving school bus for students in the D. C. Everest Area School District; volunteering for groups like Wisconsin AIDS Walk, Relay for Life, and the American Heart Association; acting as WDREL treasurer; and serving St. Mark Catholic Church as a lector, coordinator of religious education, and baptism instructor. Though leaving Waunakee was painful, Carolyn always said she was rewarded by the welcoming St. Mark community and her special church lady friends throughout the area.
When not engaged in a community activity, Carolyn could be found playing with her grandchildren, hunting with Forrest, cooking for Jennifer and Dan, traveling to visit family, enjoying a pancake breakfast, gathering with the birthday ladies, baking bread and pies, taking an early morning walk, reading about current events, making smart remarks, celebrating her Swiss heritage, or sending birthday and anniversary cards to countless friends and family members, all while whistling joyfully.
Carolyn believed in her great-grandmother's saying, "You might as well laugh as cry," and made a conscious choice each day to live her life as a ministry to others.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Forrest of Kronenwetter; daughter, Jennifer (Dan) Rauscher of Rothschild; grandchildren Katherine and Nathan Rauscher of Rothschild; siblings Elvan (June) Wendler of Footville; Marjory (Jim) Jacobson of Whitewater, Samuel Wendler of Chicago, IL, Mary (Larry) Whitehead of Juda, Michael Wendler of Monroe, and Nancy Rivet of Henniker, NH; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends who will all miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Frederick Wendler; her sisters Deborah Wendler, Jane Lewis, and Susan Knight; and her granddaughters Sarah and Emily Rauscher.
Memorial mass will be at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at St. Mark Parish, 602 Military Road, Rothschild. The Rev. Allan Slowiak will officiate. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 4, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Brainard Funeral Home - Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be sent to www.brainardfuneral.com