Carolyn Mary Gottsacker

Gottsacker, Carolyn Mary (née Kotnik) God came for Carolyn, age 95, on February 12, 2020. She left this world peacefully, comfortably and with family nearby. Carolyn was born on February 27, 1924, in Sheboygan, Wis., and graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1941. She led the girls' tennis team and was majorette of the marching band for one day: a duty short-lived because, as the story goes, the baton had a mind of its own. Carolyn met her future husband, Ray, "at the water pump station" on Lake Mendota while both were attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1947, she left there with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Later that same year, she married Ray and they were husband and wife for 70 years until Ray's passing on July 29, 2018. Carolyn had several jobs as an Occupational Therapist and later became a successful Real Estate Agent, working primarily with clients in Edina and Wayzata. In 1977, she was a Top-Ten Performer for Frank Kreiser Real Estate, which later was acquired by Edina Realty. Growing up as an only child, Carolyn was accustomed to receiving the lion's share of the attention: a dynamic to which she was not unwilling to harken back as a situation warranted. She longed for siblings, though, and she and Ray saw to it their children would have them in abundance. Carolyn capably and lovingly raised five sons and a daughter, and, with Ray, provided nurture and positive role models. A devout parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for 56 years, Carolyn was a founding member of the St. Francis Xavier Guild. She taught CCD to the youth of the parish and served as both a Eucharistic Minister and a Stephen Minister. Carolyn is survived by and will be missed by a daughter Mary Johnson (Barry); sons Greg, Mark (Betty), Michael (Patty Schulz) and Steve; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In addition to Ray, she is preceded in death by her son, Philip. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 25 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Ave, Edina, MN 55436 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. Burial at Fort Snelling following luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sharing & Caring Hands, 525 N. 7th St. Minneapolis, MN 55405. "Life doesn't come with a manual; it comes with a mother." Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Carolyn Mary Gottsacker

February 27, 1924 - February 12, 2020

Tributes

Carolyn Mary Gottsacker

February 27, 1924 - February 12, 2020

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