Carol Dahnke

Dahnke, Carol Hilda FORT MYERS, FLORIDA/MIDDLETON Carol Hilda Dahnke, age 63, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on Thursday afternoon, May 29, 2008, at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center, Fort Myers, Fla. She was born June 13, 1944, in Algoma, the daughter of the late Reinhold and Ardina Grunwald. She was a graduate of Brussels High School and attended the Milwaukee School of Business. She was an accomplished businesswoman starting her career at the New England Life Insurance Companies, Rockford newspaper and eventually co-partnered two businesses: Dog n Suds and Dons Hallmark with her husband Don. On July 31, 1966, she married the love of her life, Donald D. Dahnke, in Kohlberg. They lived in Rockford, Ill. for several years where they had three children, started a business and met some wonderful friends. A new business opportunity, Dons Hallmark, took the family to Verona, where Carol thrived as a wife, mother, friend and businesswoman. Carol retired and became a master gardener while living in Okee for the summer and Estero, Fla. for the winter. She and her husband were very blessed by the community and made the decision to give back by volunteering their time. Carol was involved with many volunteer organizations including: Olbrich Gardens, American Red Cross, Verona Senior Center, Estero Public Library, Verona School PTA, Country Creek Valentines Breakfast, Meals on Wheels, Garden Club at Paradise Island in Okee. Carol was also very involved with the church and assisted with starting two churches in Illinois, taught Sunday school, St Andrews cookbook committee and was President of the Ladies Aid for Lutheran Wisconsin Synod in Illinois. Carol was compassionate, giving and always made people feel very welcome around her. Being around family, friends, laughing, playing games and being part of the neighborhood UNO club for many years was a joy for Carol. The family would like to thank everyone for all the loving support. Since her lung cancer diagnosis four years ago, Carol got a lot of her strength and remained positive from all of the visits, cards, prayers and warm wishes that she received. She is survived by her husband, Don; her children, Dean (Amber) Dahnke of New Glarus, Debbie (Michael) Fasano of Seattle, Wash., Donna (Wade) Hogen of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; her grandchildren, Davis and Piper Dahnke of New Glarus; her seven brothers and sisters, Joyce Brown of Algoma, Ralph Grunwald of Rockford, Ill., Earl Grunwald of Milwaukee, Lee Grunwald of Plainfield, Ill., Alice (Tim) Laurent of Green Bay, Dale (Jill) Grunwald of Long Grove, Iowa, Janice (John) Haen of Luxemburg; and by many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at ST. ANDREWS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6815 Schneider Road, Middleton at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2008, with the Rev. Randy Hunter presiding followed by a luncheon. Family and friends may call from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Middleton, WI, or Cancer Treatment Center of America, Gateway for Cancer Research, 1336 Basswood Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173.