Carol Lee Coe

MADISON-Carol Lee Coe (Rhodes), age 71, passed peacefully September 7, 2014 following a brief illness. Carol was born December 26, 1942, in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of Allen and Dorothy Rhodes. Carol grew up in a farm community in Illinois and from a young age loved all animals. Horses held a special place for her and she loved riding her horse Danny. She was a graduate of Williamsville High School and attended Springfield Junior College. Employed by the Franklin Life Insurance Company in Springfield, she met the love of her life, Samuel B. Coe, and they married in August 1964. The next year, she had a son, Donn Coe, and was a devoted mother. Sam and Carol decided to start new roots and ended up in Madison Wisconsin for the last 43 years. Carol was very proud of her son and his accomplishments and watched his successes when after college he moved to New England. In August 2014, Carol and Sam celebrated their Golden Anniversary. Carol’s love of animals and nature were hallmarks of her life. She adopted and cared for older special need cats providing comfort and love in their final years. Days were spent walking through the Arboretum with its varied wildlife and the beautiful scenery. She was an avid reader. At home, she enjoyed watching the birds and other wildlife antics at the feeders. Carol was full of life and enjoyed sharing stories. She was preceded in death by her parents Allen E. and Dorothy Rhodes, a half-sister Shirley Jean Rhodes Hays, and by half-brothers Alvin “Mike” Rhodes, Keith D. Rhodes, Kenneth Martin, and Alan Martin. Carol is survived by her husband Sam, her half-sisters Vivian Rhodes Kinsel and Alta Rhodes Carter, and by several nieces and nephews, her son Donn and his wife Susan, and other relatives and close friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to the Dane County Humane Society or the Friends of the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. A remembrance gathering will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 from 5 PM until 7 PM at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761