Carolyn J. Muentner

Carolyn Joy Muentner, 86, entered eternal life on December 10, 2024 at SSM Hospice House of Hope in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Carolyn was born to her parents, Joy Mae Moore and Graham Whitehead, in Michigan on May 29, 1938. An inquisitive child, Carolyn excelled in academics and adored traveling to interesting places. Before reaching adulthood, as the beneficiary of military life, lived in 27 states, Panama and Puerto Rico, and spoke fluent Spanish.

After completing High School, Carolyn studied and earned a bachelor’s degree at Marian University in Fond du Lac. She met the love of her life and husband of 52 years, Irving P. Muentner, while working as a car hop at Gilles Custard Stand during summers in college. She wasn’t at all interested in him because he always brought a little girl with him whom she assumed to be his daughter. When he finally told her the adorable custard loving girl was his niece, Dawn, romance and forever love followed. They were married on December 12, 1959 and honeymooned in Chicago, the Windy City, at Christmas time where they purchased Christmas ornaments and started the tradition of Oyster Stew on their Anniversary every year.

While employed at the newspaper in Fond du Lac, she was assigned an interview with then presidential candidate, John F. Kennedy, and never lost her interest in all things political. She laughed and joked often that it was the most unusual interview of her life as the young JFK had locked himself out of his hotel room in only his boxers, so she pretended not to notice and the interview was conducted in the hallway of the hotel while he awaited staff to undo his predicament. As always, she was unflappable.

When her children were young, Carolyn worked as a teacher’s aide for special needs children, and was volunteered by her kids for anything and everything they could think of at school, always happy to bake, coordinate, offer time and assistance. She was a 4H leader, Sunday School Teacher, slumber party, pool party, and birthday party coordinator, and filled many volunteer positions at the drop of a hat. A hard worker, she rarely said no when help was needed.

She enjoyed entertaining and was always happy to have a house full of family, friends and colleagues. She also willingly loved and accepted the presence of dozens of critters that her husband and children brought home to the farm. She was a city girl who learned about chickens, horses, goats, cats, and dogs. Not one to sit idle, she grew an enviable garden every year and learned to can and preserve foods. Every holiday was a feast under her careful direction. Winters brought needlepoint projects, Packers games, snowmobiling, ice skating, Sheepshead games, board games, reading, and puzzles by the fireplace.

Naturally, she continued to pursue her education between teaching her children to sew and cook, and helping with homework. She decided that one if Master’s degree was good, two would be even better. She obtained Master’s degrees in both Anthropology and Archeology from University of Wisconsin, and took her family adventuring on archeology digs, including the restoration of the Castillo San Marco fort in St. Augustine, Florida. She traveled with Irv on adventures in South America.

Later, Carolyn caught the family writing bug, and became the author of several published books, as well as numerous freelance newspaper articles. She and Irv hosted many political fundraisers at the small farm that they enjoyed with their children in Omro, Wisconsin.

Carolyn and Irv moved the family to the suburbs of Milwaukee and she obtained a real estate license and specialized in Commercial Real Estate.

Soon after, Carolyn and Irv moved to the East Coast where they enjoyed days at the beaches with family, especially their four grandchildren.

Carolyn’s memory will be cherished by her children, Elisabeth Black and Melanie (Brian) Cords; grandchildren Nathan (Essi) Zebrowski, Gregory (Moonlight) Zebrowski, Grace Cords and Caroline Cords; great granddaughter Euvonna Zebrowski; sister, Molleen Zwiker; sister in law, Beth Zwiker; and numerous special nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Irving P. Muentner; brothers Willam Zwiker and Michael Zwiker; brother in laws Walter Muentner and John (Elaine) Muentner; sister in law Margie (John) Scharf; and, son in law, J. David Black.

The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac and SSM Hospice House of Hope for their care and gentle treatment in her final illness. A special thank you to nieces and nephews who assisted her when she had limited mobility and needed help and extra company. Also, many thanks to the priests and lay people at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lomira and Holy Family Catholic Church in Fond du Lac for their many visits and spiritual care of Carolyn.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Memorial Mass will be private. Interment will be at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Bear, Delaware, alongside her husband, Irving P. Muentner.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Carolyn’s name to your favorite charity.