Carol P. Stietz, age 88 of Gratiot, WI passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020 at her daughter’s home in DeForest, WI. She was born September 29, 1931 at the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital in Monroe, WI. She was the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Zentner) Roethlisberger. Carol graduated and was salutatorian from Gratiot Union High School in 1949. After graduation, Carol worked at the Fair Store in Darlington, babysat for a family in Monroe, WI and then was the bookkeeper at the Gratiot FS Feed Mill and that is where she met Edward Stietz. Their first date was New Year’s Eve in 1951. They were united in marriage on January 31, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gratiot. Carol and Edward farmed their entire lives in rural Gratiot until retiring into the village of Gratiot in 2001.
Surviving are her children: Wayne (Sherry) and Mark (Cristi) Stietz of Argyle, WI, Dale Stietz of Buckhorn, WY, LuAnn (Dean) Monson and Dennis (Gina Berget) Stietz of Gratiot, David (Julie) Stietz of Baraboo, WI, Marilyn (Gene) Reardon of DeForest, Mike Stietz of Darlington, WI, Elaine (Jason) Vogel of Mineral Point, WI, and one daughter-in-law; Kara Stietz of Gratiot, WI. She was blessed with 33 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. As the matriarch of the family, she is further survived by three sisters: Nancy (Roger) Redington of Galena, IL, Linda (Dennis Hennessey) Roethlisberger of Milwaukee, WI, and Ronda (Ted) Chitwood of Dodgeville, WI. Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Edward in 2002; one son: Sam Stietz in 2015; one sister: Alice Mae Olson and one brother: Ronald Roethlisberger.
Carol helped on the farm all her life. Raising 10 children she knew how to garden, can, cook, and sew among all the other daily duties of raising a large family. She did the farm bookkeeping, was secretary for St. Joseph Catholic Church for many years and was active in the church’s Altar Society, and was a member of Pecatonica Homemakers where she held the position of Secretary/Treasurer. She taught herself how to crotchet and made many, many afghans, quilts, and Christmas stockings that she gave to her family. Carol also liked to embroider. She kept up on the family genealogy and liked to write letters with her beautiful handwriting. Carol enjoyed playing Bingo, 500 Rummy, Scrabble, and always enjoyed doing puzzles and craft projects. She loved to cook and bake, and her family always looked forward to her “gooey” Rice Krispy bars at family gatherings. One of her favorite sayings was “life is short, eat dessert first” (and many times she did!) Carol was proud of her family and loved spending time with them always offering a lending hand. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic a private family funeral service will be held at the Erickson Funeral Home in Argyle, WI (801 Milwaukee St., Argyle) with Msgr. Daniel Ganshert officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Gratiot. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. A memorial service has been temporarily scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Simons Park in Gratiot. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com
In leu of flowers a memorial fund has been established and may be made out to the children of Carol Stietz
