CAROL GINTNER

April 13, 1940 - September 15, 2018

Carol Jean Steinert Gintner passed away on Saturday, September 15, 2018 due to complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis and a brain stem stroke. Mom was born on April 13, 1940 to Hilbert and Lucille (Raddatz) Steinert and grew up “south of town” with her sister Janice who came along six years later. This November 12 would have been the 58thcelebration of my parents’ wedding anniversary. My dad, Terry Gintner loved (more than anything else) to tease her, and started right after the honeymoon by telling everyone that no one could burn a pan of water as well as his bride. (She did eventually learn how to cook, and between she and my dad, made many Holiday meals. If gravy happened to be involved, they disagreed on the proper consistency, always.) Three years after they married, I came along. Contrary to popular belief, I was not the favorite, or the most spoiled. That would have been my brother Kevin who came along 4 years later. We were raised on Kirkwood Drive, in a household where we had picnics on the living room floor every Saturday night, eating either home-made or “doctored up” pizzas while watching ‘Hee Haw’ or the ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ in front of the TV. As we grew up, there were many long conversations around the kitchen table where life’s problems could always be talked about. Realizing a life-long dream, mom and dad moved out to the country between Omro and Winneconne and built their dream home. Mom loved to work in her vegetable garden and flower beds. The back porch was where they would sit and relax and talk, enjoying the rolling fields and birds that came to the feeders. During winter, mom would cuddle up in her chair with the dogs on her lap, and a roaring fire blazing in the fireplace, with the doors wide open because it got so hot in the house. (I think dad was getting even with her for all the times she used to complain she was cold after the sun went down and it was still 80 degrees out.) Mom and dad built a life, and a business, together that were full of challenges… and even though her illnesses took her mobility, she still managed to reach out her hand so dad could hold it. Love and devotion helped them overcome the obstacles. As a family, we would like to thank Shelby Braun for her kindness and compassion to facilitate mom’s care. A special thank you to Lisa, April, and the staff at Country Villa for the wonderful care during mom’s last days, to Generations Hospice and the angels who kept mom’s dignity intact, and to Shelly and Rose, who were the special gals who helped out at home so dad could get out and about. Survivors who mourn mom’s passing, but know that she will meet us again, on her feet, with full use of a pain-free body are: Terry Gintner, Vicki Gintner, Kevin & Kris Gintner, grandkids Stephanie, Jake and TJ Aronson, Mike & Danielle Gintner-Manguilli (Giuliana and Sean), Alec & Andrea Gintner, Sam and Liz Schaefer, canasta cheater and sister Janice Ott, nieces Jodie and Kristine and their families, brother-in-law Howard Gintner, and all the cousins… you know who you are! A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held at Primo, Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.