Carol Kaiser

Carol J. Kaiser passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

She was born to Ray and Marie (Klahn) Lichtie on October 30, 1932, at St. Ann’s hospital in La Crosse. Carol married Bernard “Fritz” Kaiser on August 31, 1949, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and they were blessed with 6 children. She was particularly grateful for the Catholic education provided by her parents at St. Joseph’s Cathedral School and Aquinas High School.

Carol went on to become one of the first two Lay Ministers and Leaders of Prayer for St. Leo’s Parish in West Salem. She served as a Lector and Communion minister until her health no longer allowed her to do so. She continued to train others as Lectors and Communion ministers and it brought her much joy to see others as servants of the Lord. Carol was involved in the Franciscan Skemp Hospice program since 1992 and found it very rewarding. Many lasting friendships were formed and appreciated. She took classes for the Grief and Bereavement program and initiated the program at St. Leo’s to help the families to prepare for their loved ones funeral. She also volunteered at St. Francis in the ICU and Gundersen Lutheran in the CCU unit. Taking part in the prison ministry was something that was dear to her heart. She was involved with the Discipleship Unlimited Ministry at Taycheedah Women’s Prison and for the Residents Encounter Christ program at the Oxford Men’s Prison lead by Sr. Jean Moore. It was a great learning experience for her.

Carol was also a member of the La Crosse Chapter 1526 of the Women of the Moose and held many local chairs, earning the Friendship, College of Regents and Star Recorder degrees. She was appointed Deputy Grand Regent for the state of Wisconsin in 1980 and traveled throughout the states in this capacity.

Spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren was especially important to Carol. Sharing holidays and other special occasions with them made her very happy. We had happy times and sad times but with the help of the Lord we made it through all of them.

Carol had been employed as a cook and waitress at Maple Grove Country Club when the children were little and in later years she was employed in the office at Kmart for 29 years, retiring in 1995. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, fishing, and playing Sheepshead ,Chipper and Canasta with her family and friends and calling Bingo for her friends at Whispering Pines and Eagle Crest. Carol tried to be of help whenever she could because she loved people. She looked forward to her monthly lunches with her Kmart retiree friends, the Wellness Group and the New Beginnings Group at St. Leo’s. Carol loved the Green Bay Packers and baseball, especially “her team”, the La Crosse Loggers.

She is survived by her children, Paul (Debra) Kaiser, of West Salem, Nancy (David) Sackmaster, of Onalaska, Gary (Mary) Kaiser of Madison, Cheryl Mooney of La Crosse; and 18 Grandchildren, 28 Great Grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Joseph Lichtie of South Jordan, Utah; sister, Mary Lichtie of McFarland, Wis.; sister-in-law, Mary Lichtie (Jim); and special friend, Sue Cooley, (Bob’s fiancé).  Many special nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends also survive her. She was preceded in death by her husband; her greatly appreciated parents; her wonderful in-laws, Wenzel and Ida Kaiser; a daughter, Kathleen “Kathy” Shaffer; son-in-law, Arnold “Arnie” Shaffer; and granddaughter, Christina “Chrissy” Shaffer; her son, David Michael; brothers, Ray, Edward “Bud” and Robert “Bob”, and Jim Lichtie; many sisters/brothers-in-law; and grandsons, Scott Brush and Damion Harris.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, December 15 ^th , at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 210 W. Hamlin St., in West Salem. Rev. Douglas Robertson will serve as celebrant and Rev. Robert Hegenbarth will concelebrate. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse, beginning with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m., and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Leo’s New Church Fund or the Franciscan Skemp Hospice program. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sheila Momont for her care and concern for our Mom and to all the other doctors who cared for her. Above all we thank God for His unfailing love towards her.