Carlene Ann Kavajecz lived her life with generosity, selflessness, and style. Her 86 years were centered around caring for others: family members, friends, and patients.

She was born on July 11, 1939, to Carl and Martha Haarstad in Duluth, Minnesota. She attended South Shore High School in Port Wing, WI, and later graduated from Columbia College of Nursing in Milwaukee, WI.

Carlene devoted her life to caring for others. She worked as a Registered Nurse for over 50 years.  Forty of those years, she worked at Essentia Superior Memorial Hospital in the Critical Care Unit, and later in the Emergency Room, where she found her niche. Her compassion, steady presence, and sense of humor were gifts to both patients and coworkers. During long shifts, she was known to request strawberry sundaes to be dropped off during break times, a small joy in demanding days. Carlene loved her work deeply and retired from her life's calling at the young age of 75.

Carlene married her high school sweetheart, Leonard Gary Kavajecz, on a frosty February day in 1963 in a small chapel in Herbster, Wisconsin. Lifelong companions and best friends, they shared 49 years of marriage built on love, devotion, partnership, and love of family.

Her five children survive Carlene: Penny Marrinan (Matt) of Onalaska, Wisconsin; Shaun Kavajecz (Shelley) of Superior, Wisconsin; Paula Daube (Chris) of Bend, Oregon; Kari Nelson (Steve) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Trev Kavajecz (Carolyn) of Superior, Wisconsin. She had 13 grandchildren: Kelsie, Nick, Andrea, Maggie, Ethan, Camren, Noah, Traxx, Henrik, Rokkyn, Exxl, Versii, and Genevieve; Four bonus grandchildren: Jordan, Ryan, Evan, and Seanie Hughes; and sisters, Laurie Roufs and Darlene Brown. Carlene is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Buddy, and her eternal loving husband, Leonard Gary.

Carlene had a remarkable gift for creating magical places where family could gather and feel at home.

Summers were spent at her family home in Herbster, where days were filled with sunshine on the shores of Lake Superior and evenings were spent floating on inner tubes beneath the night sky, counting fireflies.

In retirement, Carlene followed the sunshine to Arizona.  Her children and grandchildren escaped cold winters to grill together and drink fresh-squeezed lemonade made from lemons picked from the backyard tree.

Carlene and her family found sanctuary in a quaint little A-frame lake cabin in rural Wisconsin, a place of countless happy days spent relaxing and simply being together. The Fourth of July was the highlight of the year for the Kavajecz family. Carlene proudly led the Star-Spangled parade around the cabin, followed by children and grandchildren in costumes, playing instruments she lovingly provided. The pancake breakfast and parade in town were traditions never to be missed.

Music was a joy throughout her life. Carlene loved strumming her guitar and is fondly remembered playing "On the Streets of Laredo." She sang in the choir at Cathedral of Christ the King and could often be heard singing from the pews. At her brother's wedding, she even took the stage to sing "Tiny Bubbles."

Carlene's strength and generosity inspired all who were fortunate enough to be in her orbit. She always put others before herself, she "knit" Christmas stockings for every member of the family, and she remained humble to the end. She did not seek the spotlight, yet radiated a quiet, steady light that touched everyone she met. Carlene's light, love, and laughter will be deeply missed.

On February 2, 2026, following a brief illness, Carlene passed quietly, surrounded by her loved ones and the gentle strum of her grandson's guitar.

The Kavajecz family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Essentia staff for their compassionate care during Carlene's final days.

A gathering to honor and celebrate her life will be held at a later date.