On Dec. 26, 2022, Carolyn Kay (Grothaus) McCleery was reunited with her Lord.
Carolyn’s faith was strong and guiding when she peacefully passed away at her home in Fort Atkinson, Wis. She was born Jan. 29, 1939, to John and Goldie (Sims) Grothaus of Smith Center. Carolyn grew up on a farm north of Smith Center along with her two sisters; LaDeane (Grothaus) Groves of Garden City and Dorothy (Grothaus) Long of Smith Center.
Carolyn graduated from Smith Center High School in 1956. While celebrating her birthday roller skating, she met her soulmate and future husband, Warren McCleery in 1954, they were married on Feb. 24, 1957, at the Thornburg Church in Smith Center.
Carolyn followed Warren’s army training to bases in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas when he was drafted after the Korean conflict.
Carolyn had many entertaining stories about the housing she endured during those times. The newlyweds were separated when Warren’s army duties took him overseas to Korea and Carolyn remained in Smith Center.
Warren always considered Carolyn his “earth angel” during their 65 years of marriage. For the majority of their lives, Warren and Carolyn worked closely together. Their first joint business endeavor was owning and operating the Sears Catalogue Store in Smith Center for over 22 years.
While living in Smith Center, Old Settlers Day was one of Carolyn’s favorite times; she excelled in float design and building, being recognized as one of the top floats every year she entered.
Warren and Carolyn’s second business adventure took them to Beloit, and required Carolyn to further her education, becoming a certified medical aide (CMA). Working together, they built and operated a senior care home, Woodland Heights.
After their retirement from the senior care home, they moved to Marquette, Mich., for five years and traveled throughout the United States. They relocated to Fort Atkinson, Wis., in 2003. The experience of owning and operating a senior care home equipped Carolyn well to serve on the Jefferson County Senior Center Board.
Sports were a highlight in Carolyn’s life; she was a player and coach of softball, as well as a pee wee baseball coach, she enjoyed watching grandkids participate in various sports, and later in life watched televised sporting events.
Carolyn discovered her artistic talent through painting lessons taken in Smith Center. She was a passionate oil painter, painting many pictures every year for family and friends. Carolyn continues her love of oil painting, painting masterpieces in the Heavens.
The couple was blessed with three children, Michael McCleery (Kari) of Signal Mountain, Tenn., Sindey Schueler-Platz (Stewart) of Lawrence, and Tara Basu (Choton) of Fort Atkinson, Wis. Carolyn was the much-loved grandmother of Amber Smith (Daryl), Ashley English-McCleery (Bob), Sindra Schueler (Aaron Hicks), Samantha Schueler-Emerson (Adam), Sabrea Platz-Flores (Francisco), and Caleb Basu.
The cherished great-grandmother of Issac Smith, Lucy Smith, Micah Smith, Mia Smith, Maren Emerson, Sloane Emerson, and Ellie English-McCleery. She will be remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents John and Goldie Grothaus and son-in-law Daryl Schueler.
Carolyn lived a full life as a beloved wife and wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, homemaker and business owner. She loved her family and instilled strong values that continue to serve them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center. Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center. Carolyn was devoted to the education of Native American children, as an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Native American Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 25, Sapulpa, OK 74067 and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.