Obituary: Carol L. (Mack) Neuhauser - Class of 1950

MADISON - Carol L. (Mack) Neuhauser, age 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at Agrace HospiceCare, surrounded by her family. She was born on Oct. 11, 1932, in Madison, the daughter of John and Caroline Mack. She attended Franklin Elementary School and Madison Central High School in 1950. Carol married Charles Neuhauser, a high school classmate, on July 14, 1955. Carol graduated from the UW School of Nursing in 1955, and worked as a civilian nurse at Brook Army Hospital in Texas while her new husband was on active duty there. She then worked at the VA Hospital in Madison and served with the 44th General Hospital Reserve Unit. Carol then retired to be a stay at home mom to raise her three children. Vacations for the young Neuhauser family were often spent camping and fishing. Carol was even willing to take up pheasant and deer hunting to be a companion to Charlie. She loved taking part in the yearly "Mack Deer Camp" in Camp Douglas. Above all else, Carol loved and cared for her family. She reminded us often that her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. Birthday celebrations included our own special homemade pie. She cheered on her kids and grandkids in their school and sporting events. Dressing up in goofy costumes with her grandchildren was as much fun for her as the kids. Christmas Eve gatherings won't ever be the same without her, especially her competitiveness in everyone's favorite game "cup and angels". She extended her nursing and caretaking skills to her many aunts and uncles and especially with her own mother and mother-in-law, both of who lived with Carol and Charlie for many years. Carol loved spending time with her dear friends from her softball team, golfing buddies, card group and the MG hockey family. She was the pitcher and official joke teller for her softball team. Carol looked forward to a breakfast or lunch date with her friends and never missed her class reunions until this year. She also was an avid gardener, a reader of mysteries, and a fan of old movies, especially those starring John Wayne. Carol was a trooper to the end, including being a 14-year breast cancer survivor. She made many smile with her sense of humor, even in her last days. Carol is survived by her children, Chris (Greg) Percy, Curt (Sue) Neuhauser, and Eric (Kim) Neuhauser; grandchildren, Tyler, Michael, and Brett Percy, and Kendra and Cameron Neuhauser; brothers, John Mack Jr. and Jim Mack; sisters-in-law, Joyce, Patty and Ruth; aunt, Marion Trachte; and many extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles in 2006; and her parents. A celebration of Carol's life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 6 p.m., on Thursday, July 30, 2015. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or a charity of your choosing. The family would like to thank the wonderful people at Agrace HospiceCare and at St. Mary's SSICU and 4SW. Also, thank you to her physicians, Drs. Bain, Santana and Wilson, along with their staffs. Carol will be dearly missed by her family. We wish her peace.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 26, 2015. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).