Carol M. Lied

Carol M. Lied passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at the age of 86. Devoted wife of Thomas joined in love on September 12, 1953. Loving mother of Sue, Robb (Linda), Steve (Karen), and Marjie Otto. Cherished grandmother of Carolyn (Corey) King, Erica, Drew, the late Jake; Eric (Lauren Adams), Ruth, and Anna; Nikita and Natasha Otto. Dear sister-in-law Janice Gantzer.

Carol was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Marie and Peter Hildebrandt.  They moved to Milwaukee and Carol finished grade school at St. Anne’s Parish School.

Carol met Tom at Washington High School.  Tom’s gift for her graduation was a proposal and engagement ring.  They married September 12, 1953.

Carol is remembered as an excellent and compassionate listener.  Many felt truly heard by her.  She also loved to decorate for Christmas and other holidays and have family gatherings.  She made birthdays special.  She had a great sense of humor and giving gifts throughout the year. She enjoyed being part of family days, such as birthdays, first communion, and other religious milestones, graduations, and celebrations of grandchildren’s involvement in sports and the arts.

Carol enjoyed summer vacation at the cabin her father built near Manitowish Waters, especially a yearly dinner at Voss’ Birchwood Lodge.  Family gathered for a week at Birchwood Lodge to celebrate Carol and Tom’s 50^th anniversary.

Winters in Kona, Hawai’i were a pleasure.  Family visited, sharing time at the beaches, historical sites, art galleries, and out of the way places.  Tom and Carol also traveled to Germany, Egypt, the Caribbean, and Great Lakes circle tour among other places.

Inspired by Tom’s business in nursery/landscape design and her father’s love of roses, Carol was on the board of directors of Boerner Botanical Gardens and spent 2 years as co-chair of the Rose Festival.

The spiritual life was extremely important.  She spent years as the Adult Education Coordinator at Our Lady of Good Hope Parish.  She was active in contemplative prayer and spiritual discussion and made pilgrimages to Lourdes, Lisieux the place of her favorite saint Therese the Little Flower, and the Holy Land.  Studying world faiths was also highly valued.  She went to India to study at an ashram and to Nepal and Tibet to study Buddhism.  She studied in Wisconsin with a Native American herbalist and natural healer.  Locally she connected with the Still Point Center and studies at Holy Hill led by the Carmelite monks.   She practiced prayer daily.

Carol was a very special person, uniquely balanced in body, mind, and spirit.  She was always a gift in herself to family and friends.  Family was the love of her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians

or St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until time of funeral Mass 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1755 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield, WI 53045. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Mequon, WI.