Carol Jean Karlslyst

Carol Jean Karlslyst was born in Waukesha, WI on April 24, 1936, to Ernest J. and Helen Mae (Smith) McCauley. She attended Carroll College and was married to David Craigmile. Together they had two children, Richard Craigmile Karlsyst & Jean Craigmile Karlslyst Dorney. Carol was widowed and remarried Robert "Abbie" Karlslyst of Stoughton, WI and together they welcomed another daughter, Susan Kay Karlslyst Sanderson. 

After raising her own children, Carol was employed at a daycare and also passed the strenuous Red Cross exams to become a swimming instructor and Director of the Swim Program at Stoughton H.S. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in both Stoughton and West Bend. She was a great lover of animals, travel, world cultures, spirituality, and nature. 

Carol loved travel, enjoying a missions trip to Bolivia and personal trips to Brussels, Belgium and Scotland. She and Abbie especially enjoyed their road trip through the southwestern U.S. Carol was also blessed to spend many memorable summers in Juneau, Alaska, visiting her daughter Sue and grandson Aaron. Carol was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Janice (Irving) Quam; niece, Barbara Daemmrich; and husband, Robert Karlslyst. 

She will be missed by her son, Richard (Pam) Karlslyst of St. Joseph, MO; daughter, Jean Karlslyst Dorney of Germantown, WI; and daughter, Susan (Mike) Karlslyst Sanderson of Rockaway Beach, OR; nephew, Bob (Janis) Daemmrich, niece, Bonnie (Dean) Daemmrich Nelson; as well as grandchildren, Andrew (Erin) Dorney, Brianna (Joel) Dorney Seipel, Ian (Mari) Dorney-Riffle, Aaron (Carissa) Day, Samantha Tantillo, Joshua Karlslyst, Christina (Jermaine) Young, Misty Chellew, Carey (Miles) Robinson; and many great-grandchildren. 

VISITATION: Carol’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service – 1315 W Washington St. – West Bend, WI 53095.

SERVICE: A Funeral Service celebrating Carol’s life will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Candie Herr officiating. Burial will follow the service at Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Froedtert Hospital in Menomonee Falls for their care and compassion.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Carol’s arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.

Obituary photo by Shadow Photography LLC