Carol A. Bluske

Carol A. Bluske, 87, of Ellsworth and formerly of La Crosse passed away Friday March 2, 2018 at Preferred Senior Living in Ellsworth.

She was born on September 7, 1930 to Henry and Ansoph (Brettingen) Johnson of Chaseburg.  Mrs. Octoberfest USA 1970 Carol Bluske has joined her festmaster DuWayne (Charlie) Bluske for the ultimate celebration. It was -14 degrees when she rode in an open float at the St Paul Winter Carnival as the reigning Queen.  That is when they decided to leave Wisconsin for California, which they did in 1972.

Carol loved the old time country auctions where Charlie and she started collecting antiques. She had an eye for the unique and one of a kind items. Her memory was such that for many years after buying an item, she could tell you where she bought the item and how much she paid for it as well!

Carol was a "doer" not a dreamer.  Whatever the situation, she would be counted on to "do" the necessary without emotions.  "Doers" like Carol need time for people to realize what they have accomplished.  Here are some awards Carol should have been awarded:

Stand by your man award: This award is from her husband Charlie for nursing him through the depressing and serious medical issues of polio and then marrying him.

Keep the family connected award: Despite being spread from Wisconsin to California, she arranged several family vacations. To Carol, a 3 or 4 bedroom vacation home for 15+ was a challenge to be overcome.   Stand by your babysitter award: This award is from her foster daughter, Pat Schwartzhoff for providing a home full of 4 lively brothers and sisters and parental love.

Golden Angel Wings Award: This is issued for outstanding service to Carol Bluske who will be sitting next to Gabriel. Carol and Gabriel are doers.

Survived by 3 children, Brady (Renee) Bluske of Fairfield, CA, Bryan Bluske of Frontenac, MN, and Beth McDonald of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Taylor (Emerson) Dominguez and Tanner Bluske of Fairfield, CA, Griffin McDonald of Olympia, WA, Grayson McDonald of Kansas City, MO, Krista (Drew) Bluske of San Diego, CA, and Geoffrey Bluske of Lake City, MN; four great-grandchildren; a sister Dagney (DuWayne) Dahlke and sisters-in-law Nancy Johnson, Carol M. Bluske and Carol Tryggestad.

DuWayne and Carol also have a foster daughter who is very dear to them, Pat (Earl) Schwartzhoff of Rochester, MN. They have five children and 12 grandchildren.

Preceding Carol in death are husband DuWayne “Charlie” Bluske, daughter Brenda Bluske, grandson Travis Bluske, daughter-in-law Karen Bluske, a brother David Johnson and brother-in-law Wes Bluske.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday March 8, 2018 at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse with Rev. Jonathon Rimmert officiating.  A visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time.

Please consider a gift to Grace Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association.