Carol A. Cieslak

Carol Anne Cieslak passed away Jan. 10, 2024. She was born in Granton to Molly and Louis Hahm on Dec. 15, 1943.

As the sixth of seven children, Carol had an austere childhood with her family moving several times. She put herself through school, starting in one-room schoolhouses before graduating from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1966, with a degree in medical technology. At UW-Milwaukee, Carol met the love of her life, Tom, whom she married in 1969.

Together, they raised two daughters in suburban Milwaukee and lived and worked there until 2001. At that time, they moved north to live full-time in the family cabin near Keshena. Tragically, Tom died just months after their move. Carol continued to work as a medical technologist in Shawano until her retirement 10 years ago. She passed quietly in her sleep after months of fighting with numerous infections and ailments.

Carol was a strong woman of faith who loved to cook, entertain and garden. Her yard features many beautiful trees that were planted for each family member. Carol also loved to travel and was blessed to visit Alaska, Taiwan, China, Tibet, Peru, a number of Caribbean nations and many trips around the U.S.

She doted on her grandchildren and delighted in sharing about their latest accomplishments, foibles and cute stories. Being a long-time, avid Packers fan, few things delighted her more than watching her favorite team win.

Some of Carol’s most cherished childhood memories involved visiting her aunt’s rustic cabin in Wild Rose. As an adult, she and Tom worked very hard to give their own children and grandchildren the same idyllic memories that she had as a child. They spent every other weekend building their cabin, clearing their property and creating a retreat to enjoy a life of swimming, fishing and entertaining friends and family.

She is survived by two loving daughters, Jodi (Dan) Wabiszewski, of Madison, and Krista (Daniel) Weiss, of Omro; grandchildren, Silvie, Josie, Maddy, Portia and Cormac Weiss, and Emma Wabiszewski; siblings, Bill Hahm, of Gardena, California, and Marilyn (Jack) Pitsch, of Downers Grove, Illinois; and her brother-in-law, Bob Roewert, of Harbor City, California.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom; brothers, Charles and Palmer; sisters, Beverly Matkovich and Ethel Roewert; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Everyone who knew Carol will miss her generous and gentle spirit and warm smile.

A celebration of Carol’s life and God’s faithfulness is planned in the near future.

Memorial donations can be made to Heifer International at www.heifer.org/give, or the Sustainable Development Institute of the College of Menominee Nation at www.menominee.edu/giving/donations.