Carol Rose Mahnke

MCFARLAND - Carol Mahnke (Lawry), age 89, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Carol Mahnke was born to Thelma and Arthur Lawry, on July 9, 1932. Carol was the second youngest of six siblings. They lived on the family farm outside of Oregon, Wisconsin. Carol attended St. John’s Lutheran Church and Storytown grade school. She smiled when she told the story that she was the smartest one in her class. She was after all, the only one in her class from first through eighth grades. During high school she was a cheerleader and claimed she NEVER chased boys…they chased her. Carol had been known to herd and milk the cows, and it wasn’t unusual seeing Carol chasing a chicken or two so that she could behead it, pluck the feathers off, and prepare it for dinner. In 1950, she graduated from Oregon High School and promptly went to work at Bowman Dairy until 1952. She then worked as a secretary for North Central Airlines for the next several years. Carol met the love of her life in 1955. Parker Mahnke, who had served in Normandy during WWII. After being honorably discharged, Parker became an electrician. He owned Ace Electric on Rimrock Road in Madison. One of his proudest accomplishments was wiring the Dane County Coliseum. Parker and Carol were married in 1957. Together they had two children, Richard Parker was born in 1958 and Pamela Ann was born in 1960. They moved from Madison to McFarland in 1967. The Mahnke family attended Plymouth Congregational Church regularly. Because of the location of their house, 48-hour New Year’s Eve parties were the norm. Friends would come from all around knowing that the snowmobile trails led to many local establishments and lakes. Once they had their fill of snowmobiling, everyone would head back to Carol and Parker’s home for a slice of Carol’s homemade Quiche Lorraine pie, Charlie Jack playing the piano, and a dip in the swimming pool. Carol and Parker loved life and lived it to the fullest. Carol loved to cook, bowl, golf, and enjoyed their Chris Craft Cabin Cruiser, spending weekends on the water. Carol and Parker could often be found “cutting a rug” at local establishments. Wisconsin Badger football games were always the Saturday highlight. Carol would don her red and white striped bib overalls, and when it came time for the Bucky Wagon to come onto the field, she would discretely jump on. As the cheerleaders would disembark, she would too. She enjoyed participating in the traditional cartwheels down the field. Carol was the life of the party. Carol was a member of Daughters of the Nile, Antioch Temple No. 113, a masonic affiliation since October 1965. She studied her lines and facilitated donations for the Shriner’s Children’s hospital. Carol served as queen in 1970. She was instrumental in petitioning for lower subdivision taxes for April Hills. Even though it was a real battle, it was a fight she was determined to win. As with any encounter, her determination was always on her side. Close friend, Gordy Stendahl, who owned Leske’s Supper Club, asked her to be the bookkeeper. Carol enjoyed this position because she could still keep tabs on her children and bring in additional income. In 1978, Carol embarked on a new journey with the support of her husband. She ran for Dane County Register of Deeds. She won! Carol left the office after a 10-year run. She continued her long-life learning and studied for her Real Estate License. She passed with flying colors. It was important to keep expanding her horizons. She enjoyed meeting people however never sold a house. As Parker retired and his health started to fail. Carol was by his side through all the doctor visits and provided comfort for Parker. In August 2001, Parker passed away. Carol continued to stay active, attending East Side Businessmen’s raffles and playing the Joker Poker machines. After Parker passed, she had the great companionship of Jeweler Jim Taylor. Jim was a close friend of the family - Carol and Jim enjoyed fishing and overall chumming around together. Carol learned about the jewelry business, but unfortunately their time was cut short, as Jim passed away a couple of years later. Carol was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 534 out of McFarland. Carol was truly a delight to those who knew her. Her attorney stated in front of a judge, “She is the sweetest old lady you could ever meet.” Carol’s personality shined through when not under pressure and was living life on her own terms. She showed her strength at the end of life as she told her daughter, “Never give up.” The family would like to personally thank Samantha Johnson, mom’s back door neighbor. They would also like to thank Dr. Musa and SSM for keeping her healthy, and Agrace HospiceCare for keeping her resting comfortably in her last few days. Carol is survived by her son, Richard; daughter, Pamela (significant other, Randy Swan); granddaughter, Ranjana Mahnke; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Parker; her parents, Arthur and Thelma (Otis) Lawry; and siblings, Raymond Lawry, William Lawry, Robert Lawry, Eleanor (Lawry) Schultz and Delores (Lawry) Gross. May you fly high in heaven mom, and enjoy your new chapter of living life with dad and being the life of the party. You are truly an amazing woman, wife, mother, and friend. You are loved today and forever. You will be always remembered for who you are and the inspiration you gave. A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. Burial will be held at Blooming Grove Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare.