Carol Rose Elsinger, 82, of Rickardsville, passed away Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Hawkeye Care Center, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 11 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 12, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rickardsville. Fr. Noah Diehm will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Rickardsville.

Carol was born January 22, 1936, the daughter of Cyril and Norma (Schute) Kluesner. Carol was the oldest of eight, and helped raise her siblings while her father was away serving in WWII. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Guttenberg with the class of 1954. The military came to hold a special place in her heart with her father, three brothers, a son, and five grandsons serving our country. She married her high school sweetheart, Cyril Elsinger, on May 28, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guttenberg. Together they had six children, who have blessed them with a total of 23 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 10 step great grandchildren. She was a lifelong homemaker, and worked hard to take care of her family. She was always the first one up in the morning, and the last one to bed at night. Born with a green thumb, Carol was an avid gardener and canned the fruits of her labor. She enjoyed quilting, and blessed many with the gifts of her talent, and also donated many quilts for fundraising efforts, including for the National Wild Sheep Foundation, of which she was a member, received an award, and was recognized by the national chapter for her volunteer work. Carol lived her life serving others, also volunteering for the Boy Scouts and serving as a Den Mother, and serving on the school board. Carol loved music, and sang for many years in the church choir. She also enjoyed puzzles, sewing, camping, and bowling with her league for over 25 years. Carol always supported the hunting habits of her husband and children. She could always be counted on to attend her kids and grandkids various sporting events. Carol enjoyed many years of travel with her husband and children. Her adventures in travel took her to all 50 states and four countries.

Carol is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 61 years, Cyril; her children, Dave, Bruce (Amie), and Jim (Pam) Elsinger, Susan Hohman, Linda (Pedro) Hermon, and Mark (April) Elsinger; three sisters, Janet Bernhard, Gloria Johnson, and Lonnie Kay Judd; one brother, Mike (Randi) Kluesner; and her siblings-in-law, Sharon Kluesner, Cyrenus Elsinger, Joan Saunders, Lois (Pete) Davis, Marge Elsinger, Jane Elsinger, Andy Haman, and Thomas (Debbie) Elsinger.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, James, Loras John, and Paul; one grandchild; three step grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and many siblings-in-law.

Carol’s family would like to thank the staff at Hawkeye Care Center.

Memorials may be made to the family for later donation to Hospice of Dubuque or Alzheimer’s Association for further research.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com