Carolee Borntreger

Carolee Borntreger, 91, passed away peacefully Saturday January 24th, 2026. A devoted Christian and a true pillar of faith for her family, Carolee’s life was marked by courage, creativity, service, and an unshakable trust in God.

She is survived by her four children: Deborah (Rusty Huff) Zander, Amberlee (Brendon) Ribble, Rory (Lynn) Zander, and Greg (Teresa) Zander; one sister, Cherrie (Richard) Larson; ten grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Borntreger; her son, Christopher Zander; her granddaughter, Angela Rene Florence, her parents, Clarence Bernard Geib and Mary Dorothy O’Neill; and five siblings, including Clarence Geib, Robert Geib, Henry Geib, Mary Lou Lewis, and Thomas Geib.

Professionally, Carolee was accomplished and deeply respected. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, graduating magna cum laude, and served in leadership roles including Director of Nursing and Director of Inservice, specializing in infection control, employee health, and community wellness education. Later, she pursued a successful career in real estate, becoming a licensed broker and founding the Carolee Realty Group. She took great pride in both careers, which reflected her intelligence, integrity, and commitment to serving others.

Faith was not just important to Carolee; it was the foundation of who she was. She served her church tirelessly through music, choir direction, cantoring, and parish leadership, offering her gifts with humility and joy. Her faith guided her decisions, sustained her through challenges, and anchored generations of her family.

Carolee was a gifted and passionate musician whose talent filled rooms and lifted spirits. She loved classical piano—especially Chopin—and her home was often alive with its beauty. Her musical ability extended beyond the piano; in the 1970s, her voice, presence, and natural flair earned her lead roles in Appleton theater productions. Yet for all her accomplishments, some of her most cherished performances were the playful ones—singing and playing songs like “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” to the delight of her grandchildren.

A true spitfire at heart, Carolee embraced life with independence and adventure. After retiring and into her late 70's, she spent several years traveling solo across the country in her motorhome, towing her SUV from coast to coast. She marveled at God’s creation, relished the stories of the people she met along the way, and spoke often of the kindness she encountered—especially from truck drivers who never hesitated to help. Because of this, she traveled freely and fearlessly, filled with awe, gratitude, and joy.

In her later years, Carolee poured her creativity into writing and illustrating children’s books. Despite a tremor that caused her hands to shake, she persisted with determination and grace, producing beautiful watercolor illustrations that reflected both her talent and perseverance. Nothing deterred her from sharing the gifts God gave her.

Carolee will be remembered for her integrity, strength, humor, and fierce love for her family.

A celebration of Carolee’s life and faith will be held at:

St. Joseph Parish

404 W. Lawrence St

Appleton, WI 54911

920-734-7195

Visitation: Feb. 6th, 2026 at 9:30am

Time of Service: 10:30am

Celebration of life with lunch to follow at the church

Burial to follow the celebration at 1:30pm at:

St. Joseph Cemetery at

1815 E Wisconsin Ave

Appleton, WI 54911