Caroline Langer

Marshall - Caroline M. Langer, age 70 passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2014 in Sun City West, AZ, in the arms of her loving husband of 51 years, Darrell Langer. She was born on April 21, 1943 in Oak Park, IL, the beloved daughter of Carlton and Frances (Laforge) Francis. Caroline was known for her love of beautiful things. She loved shopping and decorating with all the best of them. If you ever went shopping with her, you would come home with a treasure sure to be something that was beautiful and made you feel just a little better whether it was flowers for the garden, new clothes or something for the house. Caroline was an avid quilter right up until the end. She made colorful, beautiful quilts for all the family, each one better than the last. Her sewing room was always busy and she always had a new idea for another new quilt. Her skill increased steadily over the years. She enjoyed the warm friendships of her quilting group members. All her friends and family members will be enjoying her quilts wrapped around them like a warm hug from her, this winter and many more. She planned it that way. She had a soft spot for all animals, especially cats. There have been many cats and dogs that have enjoyed a wonderful, lucky life with her. During the day, there was always a cat or dog following her around endlessly and in the mornings and evenings, there was always some little cat getting a warm snuggle in her lap. She was a great advocate of the less wealthy or the unlucky in life. She taught us all never to judge a person but to provide a welcoming friendship, a warm home to visit, an ear to listen and the support needed to get ahead. A good meal usually was part of that package, as she was a generous cook. If you had troubles, she was known to say, "That's why God gave you those big shoulders" and then you felt like you could overcome your current crisis. She never let us get away with anything and she paid attention and kept us all accountable. Over the years she worked side by side, inseparable from her best friend and husband, Darrell, on the dairy farm, in the insurance business, keeping a home and raising a family. The garden and orchards they worked on together are overflowing with roses, poppies, apples and tomatoes. They enjoyed traveling to Sun City West, AZ during the winters and Door County, Wisconsin in the summers. These trips involved lots of family and outdoor meals/picnics and time to have a cup of coffee altogether. It was important to her to have good traditions in place to be enjoyed beyond her lifetime. She is survived by her husband, Darrell; children, Christina (Tony) Garcia of Cheshire, CT, Kevin Langer of Columbus and Julie Keller of Geneva, IL; her grandchildren, Alexander, Molly, and Miranda Garcia, Bryson and Kaylin Langer, and Matthew and Mitchell Keller; her siblings, Jean Nolan of Sun City West, AZ, Sue Ellinger of Milwaukee, John Francis of Columbus, Pat Holmes of McFarland and Mike Francis of Madison and her 3 cats, Coco, Lucy, and Snickers. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Stephen "Pud" Francis A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY FAMILY PARISH/ST. MARY OF THE NATIVITY, 120 SOUTH BEEBE, MARSHALL on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:00 am with Father Jorge Miramontes presiding. Burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday from 9:00 am until the time of Mass.