Carol Gesteland

Gesteland, Carol P. LODI - Carol P. Gesteland, age 74, of Lodi, passed away, Sept. 8, 2007, at home, facing the lake at sunrise, on a beautiful Saturday morning. She was born on May 20, 1933, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Joseph and Christine (Peresek) Petrusek. Carol attended Keefe Avenue and Longfellow schools in Milwaukee. She moved to the Nakoma neighborhood in Madison, with her uncle and aunt, Carl E. and Marjorie M. Reiss, and attended Madison West High School, graduating with the class of 1951. She went on to receive her B.S. in Home Economics from the UW-Madison in 1955. Carol was united in marriage to Edward F. Gesteland, Aug. 20, 1955. They started out in Coronado, Calif., where Ed was stationed in the U.S. Navy. Later they raised their family in Reedsburg, where many strong and lasting friendships were made. A job change took them to Verona, in 1981. In 1988, they took over ownership of Production Enterprises, Inc. in Marshall, until their retirement in 2006. Production Enterprises, Inc. led them to residences in Oconomowoc, Fitchburg, and finally to their own little "Camelot" on Lake Wisconsin. Carol was well known for her vibrant, vivacious, out-going personality, her hats, finding just the right recipe for the next social gathering and her love for anything Bucky Badger. Through her life, she forged many friendships, priding herself on keeping in touch with all acquaintances. Her interests over the years included knitting, golf, bridge, gardening, travel, boating on Lake Wisconsin and especially spending time with family and friends. Carol is survived by her husband, Ed of Lodi; children, Kari (Marc) Vike of Verona, Eric (Therese) Gesteland of Slinger, and Kurt (Aaron Ellis) Gesteland of Long Valley, N.J.; grandchildren, Nicole Vike of Verona, and Bailey and Logan Gesteland and Lexi Bullis of Slinger; brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond F. (Harriette) Gesteland of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Robert C. (Caroline) Gesteland of Cincinnati, Ohio; and numerous nephews; nieces and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert A. Petrusek; special uncle and aunt, Carl E. and Marjorie M. Reiss; father and mother-in-law, Elmer R. and Bernice Gesteland; and sister-in-law, Jean (Smitherman) Gesteland. All family, friends and acquaintances are invited to stop by and help us commemorate her great spirit on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, from 3 to 7 p.m. at MORELS RESTAURANT, Middleton, (3.4 miles west of Highway 12 on Airport Road). There will be a short service, immediately followed by a "Bucky" style celebration of Carols life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Ronald McDonald House, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Home Health United of Madison, or a charity of choice. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Angie Smith and her fellow employees at Home Health United Hospice, and to the UW Health Oncology Department at 1 South Park, Madison.