MARY JO SEDLAK

      Mary Jo Sedlak, 64, Burlington, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 3, 2016, after a long battle with breast cancer.

She was born May 5, 1952, in Burlington, the fourth child of 12 born to Gilbert and Helen Carroll.

After graduating from Burlington High School, Mary Jo found a calling working with severely disabled adults as a house parent at Southern Colony in Union Grove. Always the caregiver, she decided to pursue her R.N., graduating from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Racine, in 1982.

She was very proud to be an R.N. and was a wonderful caregiver and strong advocate for her patients.

When not working, she was actively involved with her large family, always helping out wherever and whenever she could. After her parents’ deaths, she naturally stepped in to the matriarch role in the family, managing calamities and celebrations alike. She and Rick were definitely the “go to” people.

Mary Jo loved the outdoors and rarely missed an opportunity to spend time outside. She enjoyed long walks, hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing, cross-country skiing and any other challenging activity Rick could come up with for them to try.

Survivors include her husband, Rick Sedlak; brothers and sisters, Marie (Dick) Wagner, Tom (Barb) Carroll, Mike (Monica) Carroll, Pat (Kathy) Carroll, Linda (Keith Schumacher) Baker, Bill (Corinna) Carroll, Terri (Ed Brown) Heimbaugh, and Dan Carroll; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Tim Carroll and Ricky Carroll; sister, Margie (Carroll) Koppa, and niece, Megan Carroll.

Mary Jo’s family and friends can gather for a visitation to celebrate her life on Tuesday, May 10, from 1-4 p.m., at Grace Church, 257 Kendall St., Burlington. The funeral service will begin at 4 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Larry Williams.

In lieu of sending flowers, plant some flowers in your garden as Mary Jo hated to see wilted flowers. You might also consider a small donation in her honor to Love Inc., Burlington.

Miller-Reesman, Kasuboski, Haas, and Dahl Funeral Home, Union Grove, is serving the family.

Well-wishers can visit www.Miller-Reesman.com.