Obituary for Carol J. Reed

Carol Jean (Stenson) Reed, 82, of Barre Mills, passed away peacefully January 28, 2021, at Lakeview Health Center, West Salem after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. She was born April 9, 1938, in La Crosse to Nels Stenson and Selma (Call) Stenson. Carol was raised and grew up on the south side of La Crosse and was a 1956 graduate of Central High School. The summer of her sophomore year, Carol met Ronald A. Reed and they were united in marriage July 27, 1957, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Barre Mills. After graduation, she began working at Trane Company as a teletype operator. In July of 1958, Carol gave birth to her first son, Jeffrey. She continued to work for Trane Company. In October of 1969, Carol gave birth to her second son, Timothy, after which she left her job, to be at home with her two sons and her husband. After her sons were grown she went back to work in 1991 at Northern Engraving in West Salem. She was a lead operator in the button cell department until her retirement in 2003. Some of Carol's favorite activities included sewing, baking, going out to eat with her friends and family, and spending time with her granddaughter, Tina (Garves) Schwier with whom she shared a special bond. Carol also enjoyed traveling with Ron to Florida for a few weeks each winter. She did not like to fly, so they drove and admired all of the scenery and attractions along the way. They enjoyed these trips each year visiting friends from 1986 through 2012. After a 2010 diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease they were no longer able to travel. Survivors include her husband of nearly 64 years, Ronald of Barre Mills; sons, Jeff (Lynne) Reed of Rockland and Tim Reed of Barre Mills; grandchildren, Shay-lyn Reed of La Crosse and Michael Reed of Rockland; great-grandchildren, Aidan Schwier and Ethan Schwier, both of Galesville; sister-in-law, Mona Stenson of Holmen; brother-in-law, V. Ray Cook of Holmen; many cousins; nieces; nephews; great-nieces; great-nephews; close friends; and her loving lap dog, Lucy, who comforted her during her battle with Parkinson's Disease. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Selma Stenson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Dorothy Reed; brother, Nels Stenson; sister-in-law, Beverly Cook; and granddaughter, Tina (Garves) Schwier, (daughter of Jeff Reed from a previous marriage). A small immediate graveside service for family will be planned for a later date in the spring in Ye Old Norsk Cemetery in Barre Mills. Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice in Carol's name. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Jostad Chapel, West Salem, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.jandtfredrickson.com. Carol's family wishes to send a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the Gundersen Health System Department of Neurology/Movement Disorders Division of Neurosciences, Urology Department, Palliative Care Team and Gundersen Hospice, your care meant a lot to us. Also thank you to the entire staff and doctors who cared for Carol at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem. Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donors choice in Carol's name