Carol Mae (Soley) Massen
December 25, 1929 – July 5, 2016
Carol Massen passed away peacefully the evening of July 5, 2016 at Willow Pointe Memory Care Center in Verona, Wisconsin following a long struggle with dementia.
Carol Mae Soley was born on Christmas Day in 1929 on the farm of her parents in Arkdale, Wisconsin. She lived on this family farm most of her life.
On June 22, 1952, she married Donald Glenn Massen, also of Arkdale, Wisconsin. During their early years of marriage, they lived in Virginia, Florida, Texas and California as Don was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Upon the completion of Don’s military service, they returned to Adams County, Wisconsin. In 1964, they purchased and moved back to the farm of Carol’s birth. The farm remains in the family up to the present day.
Carol lived a life full of family and community. Beginning in high school at Adams-Friendship Senior High, Carol was involved in band and choir. She went on to attend the Milwaukee State Teacher’s College from which she received her teaching degree. Following graduation, Carol taught in Milwaukee for a year prior to her marriage. She also served as a substitute teacher in Adams County when she and Don returned after military service.
Upon her return to the farm, Carol became very active in the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and confirmation, served in Ladies Aide, participated in the Dorcas Circle Bible Study Group and regularly visited shut-ins. Her favorite ministry, however, was singing in the choir. Singing was Carol’s passion and brought her much joy to the very end. The strong alto voice and the harmony that was so natural to her are already missed. Outside of church, Carol served on the Roche-a-Cri Parent Teachers Association and as a Leader in the Arkdale Queens 4-H Club.
Carol’s family was the center of her life and she blessed them with her unconditional love, gift of presence, and complete devotion. She never hesitated to serve any person who might have a need, large or small though it may have been. Her warm smiles, welcoming hugs and wonderful homemade baking live on through memories and recipes from those who love her.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Glenn Massen; her mother and father, Clara (Pollex) and Guy Soley; her sister, Norma (Soley) Conlin; her daughter Teresa Lynn (Massen) Falk; and her grandson Jeremiah Falk.
Carol is survived by a brother, Joseph (Elaine) Soley of Greenville, Ohio; son Kent (Janis) Massen of Adams, Wisconsin; son Mark (Radie) Massen of San Diego, California; daughter Lisa Massen of Madison, Wisconsin; daughter Cheri (William) Janssen of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin; and son Larry (Kyle Wood) Massen of Chicago, Illinois.
Carol is also survived by grandchildren Jennifer (Kevin) Moore, Jeffrey (Karalyn) Massen, Jered (Lisa) Massen; Rachelle Falk, David (Michelle) Falk; Faye Massen; Amber Janssen, Elise (Brendan Strycharske) Janssen, and Lance (Andrea) Janssen. She is also survived by great grandchildren Magnus, Mia, and Merrik Moore; Henry and Evalynn Massen; Amber Lee Perry, Destiney, Brady and Caylie Krebs, Gracie Pence, Kansas Jahnke; Aiden and Madelyn Falk.
Visitation and memorial services will be held at the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 10, 2016. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the memorial service at 4:00 p.m. Immediately following, interment will take place at the East Arkdale Cemetery.
Carol’s family would like to thank the staff at Liberty Manor in Adams, Wisconsin, Willow Pointe Memory Care in Verona, Wisconsin, and Agrace Hospice of Madison, Wisconsin for the kind, loving care and attention they gave to her over the past several years.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to consider donations to the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church Choir or Agrace Hospice of Madison, Wisconsin.
May knowing you’re in the hearts and thoughts of others help you and yours through this time of sorrow.
We are sorry to hear of Carols passing, our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
My thoughts are with all you. I loved being Don and Carols neighbor they were such nice good hearted people.
Carol will greatly missed by me and my boys Robert.David .christopher
. We love and miss her .She was my teacher in sunday School. My dad Paul Lueth . My mom Pat Lueth thought the world of her. God bless her. She will Always be remembered as a good friend.and wonderful family member. If you need anything let me know. Love Patty Schiefer.
Carol was a wonderful, warm & compassionate woman who taught me the value of a hug. In the years i knew her, i always found her loving & kind. May her soul finally be at peace.
Ms. Massen was one of my favorite Sunday School teachers. Her amazing love of her students was an inspiration, and helped shape the person I am today. She was loved by many of her students. Prayers to her family for their loss. Ms. Massen was an amazing person.
To a former classmate joe soley my deepest sympathy to you and entire family you have been in our thoughts and prayers over the years class of 57 pat holm jodarski
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Massen family, may all of the great memories help you through this difficult time, friends, Dennis and Judy Allen
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, she truly was a great lady.
Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
Terrie was my classmate and friend and, on occasion, I was able to spend the night at the Massen home. Carol’s huge welcoming hugs and beautiful smile are my favorite memories.
Sorry for your loss.
Our deepest sympathy to the Massen family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We have all good memories of Don and Carol both. They were pillars in the Arkdale community. Tanya and Tammy both loved having Carol as a Sunday School teacher and will always remember her. Mom will always remember Carol as one of the “very best” Christian examples and lived her life in a way to prove it. Heavens choir has gained a beautiful voice. She will be remembered in many hearts forever. God’s blessings to all. In Christian love, Dennis Cathy, Grenneth, Tanya and Tammy.
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom, what a great lady and what a great family, our prayers are with you!
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
through the storm, through the night, led me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home. ~ Thomas Dorsey
This is one of my favorite hymns. I never heard your mother sing, but I imagine her singing this in the heavenly realm. My sympathies to all of you.
I am so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. She was a loving Mother, a wonderful person, and on of the best neighbors. The years spent living down the road were so nice. The kids loved riding their bikes up to visit with her. She always took time to spend with them, visiting and treating them to great homemade cookies. She will be truly missed. Hold the warm, loving memories of Carol in your hearts and she will always be with you. Hugs and prayers to all of you.
Prayers and thoughts are with Carol’s family. I will always remember her smile.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Massen family.
I am sorry for your loss Carol always touched my heart with her smiles and songs!
To the Massen family, Sincere condolences are sent your way at this most difficult time. Carol was an amazing lady with a voice to match. Hold each other close and share all the wonderful memories you each have. It is always hard to lose your mother no matter how old she is, or you are, because after all she is your ‘MOM’. My thoughts are with you.
My condolences to the Massen family.
Your Mom and Dad were tvery special friends. Love to all of you!
Your Mom and Dad were very special friends. Love to all of you!
Our prayers to the families, Carol was such a sweet lady.
Sorry for your loss, your Mom’s smile will be missed by many. My mother (Lois Butler) called her a card-playing friend while both were at Liberty Manor.
Dear Cheri and Family,
I didn’t know your mom, but she must have been a very special lady who knew how to raise a very special daughter. Our sincere sympathy to your entire family. May the wonderful memories from the days when her mind was clear and bright live on and replace what dementia took away. Let her singing live on in your hearts always. Prayers and hugs.
Not enough could ever be said about Carol she was a beautiful person inside and out. Her presence was a blessing to all. Her voice, smile and touch made you feel her love. Carol shared alot with all of us in Arkdale, she will never be forgotten. Thank you Carol for teaching and guiding our class (1990) to love God. Thank you for sharing your love for your family, your church, and your community. We were all blessed to have you in our lives. Our Christian Sympathies,
Carol was a wonderful person. Our sympathy to her family at this sad time.
My deepest sympathies to the Massen family. You’re in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Kent and family, So sorry to hear about the loss of you Mom. She was a wonderful lady! May she rest in peace. <3
Carol had a beautiful smile and a twinkle in her eye that made her special to all who knew her. Peace and prayers to the family.
Kent and Janis and family, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a lovely person. She was a friend of my Mother’s at Liberty Manor. She always had a beautiful smile and a nice thing to say to everyone. Hang on to all the great memories you have.
I am so sorry for your loss. Carol was one of the kindest women we ever met. I had her as a confirmation teacher and she always had a smile and was so knowledgeable of God. For a time we rented from her and was wonderful. One Father’s day she brought over Curts Dads senior picture to have. We cherish this to this day, as it sits on our fireplace mantel. Heaven truly has gained an angel and I can hear her beautiful voice. If we could all strive to be as sweet and wonderful as she was. I’m glad her suffering is finally over and wishing you all peace and God’s comfort in that. God Bless~ Curt and Michelle Pollex
My love and thoughts are with you all.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or how independent you are when you lose your mom – you’ve still lost your mom. She is indeed a great lady. On to new adventures and old friends. I still have strong memories of her hugs.
Cheri and family:
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. I know you will find peace and solace in the wonderful memories you share. God Bless.
As a former classmate and friend, Carol was the person I wanted to be…..pretty, popular, talented, friendly, with a smile for all and exemplifying what a truly caring Christian is. As a wife, parent, community and church member, she lived a life of service, always putting others first. I feel privileged to have known her. May God bless her memory.
Kent and all the Massen Family, so sorry to read of your mom’s passing. I enjoyed visiting with her when I stopped at Liberty to see her and her Christmas Tree. God Bless all of you.
Larry and Cheri
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your families.
Massen families, Arkdale has lost a wonderful lady who gave so much for many years. I know Carol hasn’t been physically living in the area BUT we can all remember the earlier times of community and family involvement. Our memories are with all of you.
My sympathy extended to entire family. While we lost a great lady, God has gained a wonderful new choir member! May you be comforted in your hour of need.
To Carol’s Family, The Lord’s Blessing to all, praying for His Comfort & His Peace. I have a lot of good memories ,of Carol, as a 4-H Leader. Our mother, Viola York, also sends her condolences.
She had the ability to instantly put people at ease and feel welcomed with her sweet smile and loving nature. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Kent, Janis and all of Carol’s family……so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Carol was a kind and gentle sole. Our condolences go out to all of you. May God wrap his arms around your family and bring you peace and comfort for as long as you need, during this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you…….
Kent, Mark, Lisa, Sherri and Larry and families, We are so sorry to hear the passing of Grandma Carol. She was a wonderful caring loving Christian woman who shared so much of her life with everyone. We will miss her smile. She was “our sunshine”. Prayers to all of you. God Bless.
To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded. Ralph Waldo Emerson. RIP Carol.
“Carol’s family was the center of her life and she blessed them with her unconditional love, gift of presence, and complete devotion. She never hesitated to serve any person who might have a need, large or small though it may have been. Her warm smiles, welcoming hugs and wonderful homemade baking live on through memories and recipes from those who love her.”
Our condolences along with our prayers and hugs to the family. Carol was a wonderful lady!
Carol was a totally awesome. The chance to know both Carol and Don and changed our lives. They extended an invitation to join Arkdale’s Trinity Lutheran Church which we accepted. There are many other stories on how they affected our lives. Carol and Don were a team in the truest sense of the word!! Thank you.
sorry for your loss and prayers for solace and understanding.
Prayers to Carol’s friends & family. What a wonderful lady, growing up I would go to bible study with her – a beautiful sole & will be greatly missed. So sorry for the horrible disease that took her away from everyone she loved.
Prayers go out to the family. Great lady iam glade I got to work on the farm. And had all them wonderful dinners she made for us. Rest in peace
We are so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family.
I’m sorry for your loss. Carol was a wonderful person. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We always had so much fun in choir!
Carol was a great lady, as you hold each other close share your memories. she was always be in your hearts. so sorry on your loss
I am so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. She was always a wonderful and kind lady…prayers to you all..