Carol Ann Trethewey

WASHBURN, Wis. - Carol Ann Trethewey (nee Endrizzi), 87, of Washburn, died on Feb. 19, 2023, at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland.

Carol was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, to Ben and Pauline (Calvi) Endrizzi on Dec. 26, 1935. She grew up in Pence and Hurley, Wisconsin, graduating from Lincoln High School in Hurley and Wisconsin State College at Superior.

She started her teaching career at a single-room schoolhouse in Montreal, Wisconsin. She then taught in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, before coming home to take care of her parents. She then taught at St. Ambrose grade school and then South Side Elementary (later Hurley K-12). She practiced "tough love" and was remembered by many students as a favorite teacher, gifting countless children the love of reading, through the voices that she gave to the characters of "Charlotte's Web."

Carol was very active in Theatre North, creating sets, working the light booth, and running miscellaneous errands. She made many lifelong friends and met Ron there in the early 70s. Carol and Ron married in June 1974. They started their life together on Lake Michelle in Hurley and later moved to Ironwood, Michigan, where they lived for 40 years. Amy Jane was born in 1978, and Carol realized her dream of becoming a Momma. She was an amazingly selfless wife and mother. "Babe"/ "Shortie" was a best friend to both Ron and Amy. She was a second mom to many of Amy's friends, often hosting a houseful of giggling girls.

Carol retired from teaching in 1993. She accompanied sports ed. Ron to many games, driving while he took notes. Once Ron retired in 1996, the two became world travelers, exploring all corners of the world, visiting six continents and too many countries to name, sometimes bringing Amy along. Many friends were made on these travels, prompting even more travels throughout the U.S. and Canada. Ron and Carol's trips frequently combined their common loves of sports and theatre, and they often attended a play at the Guthrie and a Tigers game on the same day.

When not traveling or working at the theatre, Carol enjoyed volunteering in the hospital gift shop and visiting and making soup for those who were ill. Carol sang with both the Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and Wesley Methodist Church choirs, where she enjoyed beautiful friendships. She loved crossword puzzles, Jeopardy and Scrabble, and was still recently beating Ron and Amy in Scattergories.

Carol miraculously survived a life-altering brain illness in 2012. She faced the following difficult years with remarkable strength, courage and grace. Carol and Ron moved to Duluth, Minnesota, in 2017, to be closer to Amy. The Trethewey Trio continued to enjoy adventures to Florida, Arizona, the Southeast Coast, and Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. Carol treasured simple pleasures like "baking" in the sunshine, picking wildflowers, eating chocolate and/or peanut butter, reading a book, watching the Green Bay Packers, and cuddling with her baby girl and grand-doggy, Tillie.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved older sister, Jean; sister-in-law, Suzann (Heczko) Trethewey; brother-in-law, James Trethewey; and many beloved friends and relatives. She was also welcomed into heaven by two angel babies, "Little John" and "Little Mary."

She is survived by her husband, Ron; and daughter, Amy (Joe Mattson); nieces, Nicole Trethewey-Rawling (Jon), Suzann Trethewey-Creech (Mike), and Nicole Trethewey-Gehring (Tiago); and sister-in-law, Dee Trethewey. She is further survived by several loyal friends whose cards and phone calls were cherished. Carol was blessed to be able to spend time with Amy's fiancé Joe, giving her the peace of knowing that her baby would be loved and cared for.

Carol's life will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with a visitation at 10 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m.

Carol's family would appreciate donations to Theatre North, Emberlight, or the Ben and Pauline Endrizzi Family Scholarship Fund at the Hurley High School.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes for Carol's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, to honor Carol's legacy of life.