Fennimore, WI-Caroline J. Eisele, age 86, died on Monday morning, November 16, 2015 at her residence in Fennimore. She was born on July 28, 1929 in Boscobel, the daughter of Arthur and Gladys (Swenson) Nelson. Caroline was married to Harold Lester on June 2, 1951 until his untimely death and then was united in marriage to Francis Eisele on April 12, 1958.
Caroline’s quick sense of humor, generosity, honesty, spunk and passion for life came through in all she did. As described by one of her admirers, “she had a way of making each person she met feel special and when she asked about your life, she was really present in that moment and genuinely showed she cared.” She so loved telling a good story or joke especially Norwegian ones and threw all of herself into telling the tale.
Caroline, known as Nana to her family and Carol to her many friends, was renowned for her cooking and baking, gardening and golfing skills. Her cream puffs, rømmegrøt, lefse and many other dishes/desserts were to treasure and savor. Her gardens at her Fennimore and Bagley homes were marvels with her Fennimore garden featured in a Fennimore Garden Tour. She and her husband, Francis, were founding members of the Hickory Grove Golf Course; she was proud of her many golfing awards and most especially of being recognized as the Oldest Golfer in a recent tournament. Caroline also served as a CNA, then later as a dietary aide at the Good Samaritan Center and was a member of Fennimore's Finest Red Hats.
Caroline is survived by her four children: Dennis (Janice) Lester of Harlingen, TX; Francine Bloecker of Roseville, MN; Dana Errthum of Tulsa, OK; Jason (Irma) Eisele of Le Sueur, MN; six grandchildren: Courtney Lester, Abigail Bloecker, DeLane Errthum, Gabrielle, Jason Jr. and Danielle Eisele; a sister, Lavona Fry of Burnet, TX; a sister-in-law, Patricia Nelson of Boscobel, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Elaine and Dick Nelson, Madison, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Caroline was preceded in death by her husbands, Harold Lester and Francis Eisele; a grandson, Eric Errthum; a brother, Donovan Nelson; and a brother-in-law, David Fry.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, November 20th, 2015 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Friday morning. Private burial of the cremated remains will be held at a later date. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be made in Caroline's memory to the "Raise the Roof Fund" at St. Peter's Church.