Agneta Louise Sarinske

Agneta Louise Sarinske finally put down her keyboard and pen on July 8th, 2024. She bravely fought cancer three times, in 2018, 2022 and finally, in 2024. She was 78 years old and just 37 days away from her 79th birthday. She passed away at home, in her longtime Madison home, surrounded by loved ones. 

She was born to Sig-Britt and Lars Hedenström, August 14th, 1945, as Agneta Louise Hedenström, in Stockholm, Sweden. Her mother later married Tage Erik Thorsen, the man Agneta considered to be her true father. The three of them made a perfect family, with summers spent in their red Volkswagen Bug driving all over Europe on annual vacations. 

She attended Stockholm University in 1966 to be a translator for the United Nations. To that end, she learned 5 languages, including Russian. Stockholm was no stranger to the political tumult of the 60’s. From ending Apartheid in South Africa to sheltering Greek leftist expats, Agneta eagerly joined the fight. She proudly recounted occupying administration buildings and joining mass street protests. But when asked about running away to Greece for a summer with an unknown Greek paramour, she demurred. “I’ll never tell,” she said with a smile.

In 1969, she met a dashing Minnesotan studying where she was a student librarian. Love ensued, and took them both to New Haven, Connecticut and Yale University. She embraced library studies, and became fascinated by the nascent Black Panther movement. She and Stanley married in New York City, a 5-minute courthouse ceremony. One of her favorite stories involved the meal afterward at McDonalds and the argument on the ride back to New Haven. 

In 1971, they moved to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois for a year at the University of Illinois, but fortune smiled on them when they moved to Madison, Wisconsin. Instantly drawn to the hills, lakes, people and cuisine, Agneta made the first of 5 homes that would become her spiritual center for the next 52 years. In 1974, she and Stanley welcomed Anders T. Carlson into the world. Though Anders was her only son by birth, Agneta never let DNA or family trees stand in the way of growing her family of loved ones.

Having switched majors to Social Work and earning a Masters degree, she took a job in Sauk City, Wisconsin as a Guidance Counselor in 1976. For the next 31 years, she dedicated herself to helping young adults through the traumas, trials and tribulations of youth and teen problems. In her words, “ I always liked the troubled ones.” She both listened patiently and dispensed tough love in equal measure, but ended every session with a big hug. 

In 1984, she married Roger L. Sarinske, joining a boisterous family that spanned northern Minnesota to southern Wisconsin. True to her ideals, they met while he was in prison. Unafraid of others’ judgment or opinions, she and Roger built a life that lasted 31 years until his death in 2015. 

But she saved the best for last in meeting John Knippel, a longtime neighbor unknown to her until 2016. Starting with help with house maintenance and estate management, it blossomed into shared meals and long talks into the night. Then camping trips to Door County and watching live music at favorite bars. Then, a shared life at the house on Merrill Springs. Even at 70, love blossomed anew, with John’s family embracing Agneta and she doing the same.

Later in life, she became an avid photographer, amassing a collection of over 50,000 images of everything from wildflowers to wedding photos. A number of people requested she take their graduation photos. Her weakness for new cameras and new laptops meant old ones were gifted to friends and family. She never ceased to be curious about the world around her and embraced new adventures until her last breath. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. But to see her and hear her voice again, all you have to do is close your eyes.

A closed visitation for immediate friends and family will take place Monday, July 15th at Cress Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life gathering will take place later this summer, time and place to be determined. At that time, the floor will be open for anyone to share laughter, tears and fond memories.

We welcome you to share your memories here on Agneta's Tribute Wall. 

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406