Carol J. Lancaster, age 83, of Argyle, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 22, 2025, at her home. She was born April 10, 1942, in Monroe, WI, the daughter of Floyd and Dorothy (Robinson) Rolli. Carol grew up in Gratiot (“Riverside”), WI, and graduated from Gratiot High School, where she was valedictorian of her class and received a full scholarship to Carroll University. After one semester of college, she returned home and was united in marriage to Louie Lancaster, and together they began farming and raising their family.
In 1968, Carol began her long career at Pleasant View Nursing Home. A few years later, she became the activity director, a position she held with dedication until her retirement in 2008. Carol had a gift for bringing joy and connection to others, and her work touched many lives. In 1984, she and Louie also founded Louie’s Specialty Foods in Argyle, which they proudly operated until 2009.
Carol enjoyed cooking for family and loved making individual pies for the grandchildren. She was especially known for her pie crust cookies. She enjoyed feeding the birds, especially purple martins. Louie loved to garden, and Carol loved to can and process the food that was harvested. Any given afternoon you could find Carol and Louie playing cards with friends and family. She was a veracious reader and could always find a good book. She was a history buff that appreciated the local history in Argyle and the surrounding area. In her free time, she could be seen sewing anything that needed a stich including the children's, grandchildren's and great grandchildren's Halloween costumes.
She is survived by her children: Allan Lancaster of Mosinee, WI, Daniel Lancaster of Black River Falls, WI, Dennis (Anne) Lancaster of South Wayne, WI, and Jeffery Lancaster of Fitchburg, WI; her grandchildren: Heather (Lance) Kessinger, Emily (Robert) Lancaster -Jasculca, Adam (Rebekah Wheeler) Lancaster, McKinley Lancaster, Max Eckhardt, and Maddie Eckhardt; and two great-grandchildren: Rayce and Taytum Sue Mullen. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louie, in 2021; her daughter-in-law, Sue Lancaster; and her brother, Gerald Rolli.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. The Erickson Funeral Home in Argyle is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
