Carol Seehafer

Carol Christine Seehafer (née Bitzer) passed away on December 14, 2025, at Stoney River Memory Care. She was born to Alvin and Mildred “Millie” Bitzer on December 16, 1936, in Marshfield, WI. The story goes that her dad took his time to get ready when Milly went into labor, which didn’t leave enough time to get to the hospital; so, Carol was born at home! She was supposed to be named Alice, but the neighbor who helped with the delivery, told her parents she looked like a “Christmas Carol”, so Carol it was!

She met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Seehafer, when they were both 16. They were the classic high school quarterback and cheerleader who fell in love. They were also the Junior Prom King and Queen. Carol graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1954, and was the class valedictorian. After high school, she went to the University of Eau Claire and Dick went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That lasted a short time and Carol transferred to Madison to be with Dick again! The two graduated (her again with honors in Elementary Education) in 1958, and they were married a week later. After their wedding, they moved to Georgia where Dick served in the Army. After a brief stint in Milwaukee, WI, they moved to West Des Moines, IA, where they lived for 18 wonderful years.

After her children were a little older, Carol began teaching at Western Hills Elementary in West Des Moines, IA. She was a beloved teacher and spent hours putting together fun and engaging bulletin boards and lessons to challenge her students. After they moved to Waseca, MN, Carol taught at Southside Elementary, where she won several teaching awards, including the Who’s Who of Teaching.

Carol played sports throughout her life, mostly swimming, golf and tennis. She was the women’s golf champion at Bass Lake Country Club in 2009. Her faith was important to her, too, and Dick and Carol sang in the choirs and were heavily involved in every church they belonged to wherever they resided.

She and Dick raised four children and greatly impacted the lives of her nine grandchildren! She was very competitive when playing broom ball, water ball tag, pickleball, golf, tennis, and endless board and card games with all of us every winter and summer at the cabin. She and Dick made the cabin “a magical place” for her family. Carol was an amazing artist and she was known for the unique birthday cakes she made each year for her grandchildren!

Carol is survived by her children: Cathy Pont of Antigo, Ann (Kurt) Boson of Marshfield, Joan (Jerry) Erwine of Johnston, IA, John (Lori) Seehafer of Inver Grove Heights, MN; nine grandchildren: Alyssa (Jon Stoll) Pont, Andrew (Jenny Melendez) Pont, Alex (Sara) Boson, Tanner (Jessica Schaefer) Boson, Taylor (Alex) Ceceña, Mackenzie Erwine, Ella Seehafer, Josie Seehafer and Jaxson Seehafer; three great-grandchildren: Reyna Ceceña, Ginevra Stoll, and a new great-grandbaby, Ceceña born on Carol’s birthday. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara McDermid of Madison. She is predeceased in death by her husband, Richard Seehafer; and her parents, Alvin and Mildred Bitzer. The family and her many friends in West Des Moines IA, Waseca MN, Mesa AZ, and Elcho, WI, will truly miss her.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stoney River and Heartland Hospice for their care of Carol the past few years. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or Heartland Hospice. A celebration of life will be held for Carol this summer in Elcho, WI.

Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com for your convenience.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Seehafer, please visit our floral store.