Carol K. Byrnes, 89, of East Troy found peace Feb. 4, 2016, at Lakeland Health Care Center, Elkhorn, surrounded by her loving family, the staff at Lakeland and the support of Season’s Hospice.
She was born May 15, 1926, to the late Halbert and Nettie (Holden) Knapp at home in Lafayette Township. She was raised and attended school in Elkhorn.
She had two late husbands in her many years – Clarence Byrnes, whom she married on March 31, 1951, and Francis Friemoth on Dec. 9, 1967.
Carol worked as a telephone operator in Elkhorn and at the 5 and 10 store. She then joined the war effort and was fondly known as “Rosie the Riveter.” In her later years she took a liking to ceramics and had a natural artistic knack that she shared with her children.
She worked at East Troy High School in the kitchen and then was head cook at East Troy Elementary School. Also she worked part time for Stowell’s Catering, Burlington.
In retirement, Carol enjoyed her family and the comforts of small town living. She loved to walk around her 3-acre property and the streets of Troy Center for exercise.
She had a sense of humor unlike no other and quite often spoke what was on her mind.
The legacy Carol leaves behind are her children, Janet (Bill) Kornhoff, Lynn (the late Frank) Phelps, Patrick Byrnes and Mark Friemoth; 16 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; sister, Catherine (the late Melvin) Flynn; brother-in-law, Don (Bernie) Byrnes; daughter-in-law, Mary Lee Dogwiler; son-in-law, Don Trampe; nieces, nephews, adoring pet cat “Munchkin” and many friends.
She was further preceded in death by her brothers, Clifford and Halbert; sisters, Mary and Gertrude; children, Steven and Cindy.
The family would like to thank the staff at Lakeland Health Care Center and the support of Season’s Hospice.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday Feb. 10, at Legacy Funeral Services, 2974 Main St., East Troy, with a time to share memories at 11:30 a.m. Interment follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, 1975 Beulah Ave., East Troy.
