Carol Warnecke

Carol M. Warnecke (1929-2024) Carol Magdeline Mader Warnecke, 95 years old, passed away August 21, 2024. She was born June 13, 1929 to Tess (Mouty) and Edward Mader in Gresham, Wisconsin. She married her husband of 69 years, Fredrick, on August 16, 1952. They had one daughter, Jill, who Carol loved more than anything. Carol grew up in the small village of Gresham, where she was surrounded by family and spent her summers at their cottage on Beaulieu Lake. Inspired by her mother’s career as the teacher at the local school, Carol attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and received her teaching degree. It was there that she met her future husband, Fredrick (Fritz) Warnecke, on a blind date orchestrated by friends. After a year teaching in Wausau, she and Fritz were married in Gresham and both secured new teaching roles in the Berlin School District. Carol was a revered teacher in Berlin School District elementary schools for over fifty years. Over that time, she taught thousands of children how to read, often teaching the grandchildren of former students, and watched her former students become fellow teachers. Carol was recognized by the Berlin Alumni Association in 2023 as an honorary member for her half century of service to the district and the wider community. In retirement, Carol and Fritz spent their summers at their cabin in Peshtigo and their winters down in Arizona. Carol spent her days golfing, lounging by the pool, and discovering new recipes to try out on the grandkids. Carol was also active in the Mascoutin Ladies Auxiliary and a regular Tuesday golf league member. Her most prodigious hobby was her knitting. Carol knit sweaters, blankets, hats, and even doll clothes for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She often showed up at a baby shower with a basket of handmade items, and made sure any mothers she knew of had a baby blanket to wrap their newborn in. Carol and Fritz loved socializing, and would regularly host dinner parties, cocktail parties, or any event where they could spend a few hours laughing and telling stories. They traveled across Europe with several dear couples, bringing back delicate Belleek china and detailed histories of their ancestors. In later years, Carol could always be found on the porch holding court, ready to welcome any neighbors who passed by with a beverage and a plate of cheese and sausage. Carol is survived by son-in-law Kevin (Debbie) Koch, grandchildren Simon (Valeska), Sarah (Praveen), Nathan (Anna), and great-grandchildren Milan, Kiran, Helen, Rosalind, and baby Fritz. She was preceded in death by her husband Fredric, daughter Jill, father Edward, mother Tess, and siblings Joan, Jim, Gail, and Mark. In place of flowers the family requests that any contributions be directed to the Gresham Scholarship Fund c/o the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region. https://www.cffvr.fcsuite.com/erp/donate

Carol Warnecke

June 13, 1929 - August 21, 2024