Carolyn K. Gusmer, age 80 of Waupaca, WI passed away on Monday, March 10, 2014.

Carolyn was born on October 14, 1933 in Beverly, MA, the daughter of the late Gerry and Doris (Martin) Keene. She graduated from Marblehead MA High School in 1951 and from Wellesley College in 1955 with a BA in Political Science. She worked for the Defense Department (National Security Administration) in Washington DC after graduation. She married John H. Gusmer on October 6, 1956 in Marblehead, MA, and they moved to Wisconsin the next year. Carolyn worked with the Waupaca Fine Arts Festival Art Show since its beginning in 1963 and was chairman for 19 years. She was a strong supporter of the Waupaca Speed Skating Club starting when her children were skating, ran the Skate Shop for 18 years and was treasurer from 1978 – 2010. She had been a Girl Scout Leader, and was active in PTA, Band Parents and other Civic Organizations. She loved playing bridge, swimming, music, golf, reading, gardening, and bird watching. For many years she delivered meals to the homebound, and since 1996 has been teaching ESL to several foreign immigrants who needed help learning English. However, family was always the most important part of her life, and she loved being with her grandchildren.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, John; her three children: Ted H. Gusmer (Carrie), Green Bay, WI; Dorothy G. Kellagher (Joseph), Ashburn, VA; Christopher J. Gusmer (Pamela), Waupaca, WI, and her ten grandchildren: Daniel, Rebecca and Matthew Gusmer; Michael, Meagan, Tim and Brian Kellagher; Maxwell, Alex and Zachary Gusmer. Also surviving are her brother, William G. Keene, (Susan), Ft. Lauderdale FL, three cousins and several nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca. Visitation will be on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca and continuing on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of mass at the church. Burial will be in Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Carolyn’s name for the American Cancer Society. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.