Carole Ann Hielke

Carole Ann (Dornbrook) Hielke, age 86, passed away peacefully to the eternal glories of heaven on March 2, 2026, at Eden Vista in Fond du Lac. Carole was born on May 7, 1939, in Ripon WI, daughter of Arthur and Mabel (Schultz) Dornbrook and became a child of God through Christian Baptism on June 4, 1939. She graduated from Ripon High School in 1957 and worked at Speed Queen in Ripon. She also spent many years working as an office manager and bookkeeper for Atomic Plumbing and Kelly Plumbing. Her last job before retirement was at Visioncare Associates in Ripon. Carole married Ronald Hielke on July 11, 1959, at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon. They spent many years together enjoying farm life and then moved to Minocqua where they enjoyed guests and friends visiting the businesses they owned. After a brief return to Ripon and enjoying winters in Florida, they moved permanently to Florida where they retired. In 2011 they moved back to Wisconsin (Fond du Lac) to be near family. Carole enjoyed volunteering at church, singing in the choir and working at Second Impressions Thrift Store. She loved many kinds of crafts and was a gifted artist. She created many crafts, beautiful handmade gifts and ornaments that her friends and family treasured. She was also a talented seamstress. Being together with her family was always a highlight, especially time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carole is survived by her children: Christine (Tom) Schermerhorn, Kenneth (Kari) Hielke; grandchildren: Joshua (Becky) Schermerhorn, Margaret (Lawton) Hall, Hannah (Joshua) Grefe, Curt (Angela) Hielke, Jenni (Patrick) Wieme; great-grandchildren: Penny, Jack, Otto and Tessa Schermerhorn, Elaina Grefe; brothers: Clifford Dornbrook, Robert (Lois) Dornbrook; sisters-in law, Joan Hielke, Donna (Jim) Meacham, Joyce Dornbrook. Carole is further survived by nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ron, parents Arthur and Mabel Dornbrook; in laws William and Margaret Hielke; brothers: Edward Dornbrook and Michael Dornbrook; brother-in-law David Hielke. Visitation for Carole will be held from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 606 Forest Avenue, Fond du Lac. Funeral service for Carole will be held at 12:00 PM, on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with Rev. James Borgwardt officiating. Burial to follow at Liberty Prairie Cemetery in Pickett. The family would like to thank the staff at Eden Vista and the Preceptor Home Health & Hospice staff – Your Loving care, kindness and compassion for Carole over the years will always be remembered. Memorials may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac or Winnebago Lutheran Academy.

Carole Ann Hielke

May 7, 1939 - March 2, 2026