Carol Mae (Fischer) Gruetzmacher, 85, of New London passed away peacefully on November 3, 2018.
Carol was born on October 6 th , 1933 to the late Melvin and Goldabell (Sell) Fischer in Marion, WI. After graduating from Marion in 1951, she became a nanny for 2 years for a family in Chicago IL. Her love of working with children inspired her to return home and attend Langlade Teachers College. She then became a dedicated teacher and completed her Bachelor’s Degree at UW Oshkosh. She taught first in Caroline, WI then Hortonville School District until the Historic Teachers Strike of 1974. She then taught for the New London Public Schools, primarily at Sugar Bush Elementary as a Kindergarten teacher, for the remainder of her career. Upon her formal retirement she continued to substitute teach and volunteered up until just the last couple of years of her life when her health declined. It was not uncommon if you were out in public with Carol to hear her interact with a former student, who inevitably held very fond memories of Mrs. Gruetzmacher’s class.
She was united in marriage to the late Lyle Arthur Gruetzmacher on August 15 th , 1959 in Marion, WI. Carol and Lyle were inseparable until his passing. They were united in their love for their children and grandchildren, who were their pride and joy. She was dedicated to her grandchildren and found great joy in helping to care for them every opportunity she got. She made a lasting impression on each of them and her legacy will live on through their lives.
Carol (& Lyle) loved to dance, and the two of them attended many dances even until the last year of their lives together. They shared many wonderful family vacations and She was always on the go and very social and well known throughout her communities. She volunteered for the schools, her church, Bethany Home In Waupaca and was a member of the Tigerton Legion Auxiliary.
You could say that Carol never met a stranger because no matter where she was she would freely introduce herself and show an interest in others, with whom she often went on to become friends with. She went out of her way to help others and would give refuge and assistance to complete strangers (friends after that) even.
Carol is survived by her children Jon (Heather) Gruetzmacher, Chaska MN and Sara (James) Hendrix, Cibolo TX as well as 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 sisters, 2 brothers, 3 sister in laws and 1 brother in law. Carol is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother (Eugene) a sister in law and 5 brothers in law.
The family would like to thank ADRC of Outagamie county, staff at Heartwood Homes of Appleton, and Theda care at Home Hospice team for their wonderful assistance and care during this last 9 months.
A Celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Friday December 21, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 709 Beckert Rd New London WI with a luncheon immediately following. Friends and family may gather from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and after the celebration to share memories.