Carole (Wiese) Salm

Carole Mae (Wiese) Salm, 70, Greenleaf, WI, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt and friend, died on Good Friday, April 19, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. Carole was born on December 22, 1948 to Wilfred and Mae (Kulhanek) Wiese. Carole was the middle child, the seventh of fourteen children in the Wiese family. She was always the peacemaker, the caregiver, and was loved by all. Carole graduated from East De Pere High School in 1967 and became a Nursing Assistant until she married Gilbert (Gil) Salm Jr on April 17, 1970. Carole and Gil made their home in Jefferson, WI where they welcomed their five children. There, Carole found her true destiny–to be a mom. She was the best mother that we could ever ask for–her legacy and example will live on in us.

Carole and Gil moved to Greenleaf, WI in 1981 to begin farming. Together they raised their children and many nieces, nephews and friends on the family farm. Many of our cousins remember those summers as some of the best of their childhood. Carole wasn’t just a mother to five–but to countless other kids that she was able to influence and guide. Gil and Carole sold their dairy cows in 1998. Carole then went to work in the Wrightstown School District until she retired in 2013. Her next challenge was a 5-year fight with cancer. We are thankful for those years. As a family, we learned that time together and making memories were the most important things in life. Carole’s true joy in her life were her 21 grandchildren. She showed them how to live. Carole was a legendary, coffee-drinking power shopper who enjoyed finding a great bargain. There was never any quit in Carole.

Carole is survived by her family, who loved her dearly and will miss her endlessly, her loving and devoted husband Gil Salm and their children and spouses Jacquie (Mitch) Breunig, Mary Ellen (Mike) Pieper, Gib (Sheri) Salm, Jessica (Bryan) Perry and Steven Salm. Her grandchildren brought her such joy and pride–Allison, Lauren & Brayden Breunig, Maxxwell, Alexxander, Madeline, Elliott, Owen & Lincoln Hill, Bentley Pieper, Jake, Erin & Luke Salm, Grace, Grant & Gavin Perry, Colin (Fiancé Kasia Rosera), Sydney, Carter & Beau Salm. Her siblings and their spouses–Diane (Paul) Baenen, Russ (Linda) Wiese, Ken (Gloria) Wiese, Sharon (Bill) Turriff, Jim (Joan) Wiese, Mary (Norbert) Zitzelberger, Roger (Sheryl) Wiese, David (Joyce) Wiese and Mark (Cathy) Wiese. Sisters-in-law–Lori Wiese, Sherry Wiese and Marilyn (Greg) Bohman. Carole’s brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law–Nick (Jeanette) Salm, Anne (Larry) Headrick, Marcia Salm, Peter (Peggy) Salm, Vic (Lin) Salm, Mark (Brenda) Salm, Ellen (Larry) Vogels, Chris (Susie) Salm, and Rose Westbury. Carole’s godchildren–Mark Baenen, Carolyn Maricque, Joanne Salm, Kristina Felchlin, Molly Wiese, Gabe James & Tony Headrick and her many nieces and nephews, and their children. Carole loved each and every single person in our family. She made us all feel like we were her favorite–it was her special gift.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Simon Hill, father-in-law and mother-in-law Gilbert Sr and Ellen Salm, brothers Bob, Dick, Dan and Paul Wiese, brothers-in-law Tony, Joe and Davey Salm, sisters-in-law Barb and Carol Salm.

Special thanks to Bellin Cancer Center, the people of Unity Hospice—and especially her two daughters Jacquie and Jessica for her last days care.

Visitation will be at Cotter Funeral Home 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, from 4:00 to 8:00pm Tuesday April 23, 2019 with a prayer service at 7:30pm. Visitation will continue Wednesday April 24, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 5832 Big Apple Rd, Glenmore, from 9:00 to 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with Fr. Paul Demuth officiating. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery-Stark. Online condolences at www.cotterfuneralhome.com