Carol Annette Troestler, age 72, passed away at home on Thursday, February 17, 2011. She was born in Chicago, IL on March 14, 1938 to the late Charles and Alice (Nelson) Grant. Carol married Tom Troestler on December 26, 1959. She graduated from Ripon College in 1960 in Ripon, Wisconsin, and was just awarded " The Distinguished Alumni Award" last summer. Carol later obtained her masters degree in social work from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1980. She was a co-founder of Pathway Clinic in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin in 1984 before retiring in 1998. Carol also helped co-found Renewing Life, a group dedicated to helping people during life threatening illness, after her own battle with breast cancer. She wrote and published two historical novels, "Flow on Sweet Missouri" and "Iowa Born and Bred". Carol volunteered with the Red Cross, Sauk Prairie Kiwanis Group, and the West Point Historical Society. She was very well traveled and visited all 50 states, and over 50 countries, and especially loved their home on Squirrel Lake, Minocqua, Wisconsin.


She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Tom, of Prairie du Sac; 6 children, Donald (Sue) Troestler of Jim Falls, WI, Donna Troestler of Middleton, WI, Stephen(Martha) Troestler of Prairie du Sac, WI, Michael (Nicole) Troestler of Milton, WI, Maria (Chris) Lindquist of Bear Valley, WI, and Peggy (Bill) Whiting of Norfolk, VA; 11 grandchildren, Jeff (Julie), Scott (Erin), Mitchell, Megan, Kevin, Lane Oling, Justyn, Ryan and Kelly Brickl, Paige and Jared Lindquist; and a great grandchild due in April, 2011. She is further survived by other relatives and many friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, David Grant; and a granddaughter, Tamara Gayle Troestler.


A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 21, 2011 at 5:00 pm at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, Sauk City, WI. Pastor Larry Collins will officiate. Friends may call from 3:00 pm until the time of the service. Online condolences can be made at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/caroltroestler . Memorials may be given to Pathways, by visiting www.Pathwaysminneapolis.org or sending to Pathways, 3115 Hennepin Ave., S, Minneapolis, MN 55408.