Carole J. Bayer

Madison-Carole J. (Meier) Bayer passed away on February 18, 2024 from lung cancer at Agrace HospiceCare.  She was born on a farm in LaFayette Co, WI to Josephine and William Meier.

Carole started her education in a one room school house, then attended Darlington High school before graduating from Monroe High School in 1955. She continued her education at St Mary's School of Nursing in Madison, graduating in 1958. She valued her education there, and made wonderful life time friendships.  On April 12, 1959, Carole married William Bayer and they had five children together, David, Erik, Beth, Theresa and Philip.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mount Senario College with a nursing degree, all while raising 5 children under the age of 17.  This is one of many examples of Carole's grit and determination when times were tough.  She finished her education with an MS from Cardinal Stritch College in 1985.

Carole spent her working life helping others in various capacities in her field of nursing.  She worked at UW Hospital early in her career and Lutheran Hospital in Westminster, Colorado while the family lived there for a time.  Upon moving back to Madison, Carole worked at Madison General Hospital and then at St. Mary's for 32 years.  She held various positions including staff nurse, head nurse and supervisor before retiring in 2002.

Carole loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Europe and throughout the US. She loved gardening, pulling a slot machine handle or two, lunching with friends and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was loved and will be missed by all.  Carole reconnected with her high school sweatheart, Herb Ableman during the last several years of her life.  Herb preceeded her in death, and she missed him dearly remembering the good times they had together.

Carole is survived by her children, David (Jill) Bayer, of Madison, Erik (Elizabeth) Bayer of Verona, Wi, Elizabeth Bayer (Matthew Cuniff) of Verona Wi, Theresa (Jim) Rounds of France, and Philip (Kris) Bayer of California, her grandchildren Wilker and Turner Bayer, Brooke and Luke Bayer, Michele (Caleb) Castro, Melissa (Dalton) Leu, Jessica (Adam Wren) Bayer and Jaime  Bayer, her great grandchildren Leo Castro, Branch and Lincoln Leu and Lucy Bayer. Carole is also survived by her sisters Margaret Manson, Lois Lunde, sister-in-law Jeanie Meier, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceeded in death by her parents, brother Clifford Meier, sister Joyce (Eugene) Roosli, brothers-in-law John Manson and Paul Lunde.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to charities that were important to Carole, St Marys Foundation, PBS and Doctors Without Borders.  The family wishes to express our deep appreciation for the care Carole received at Oakwood Hebron as well as Agrace Hospicecare.

Private services will be held.