Carol McDaniel

Carol Jean (Leitzen) McDaniel, age 72 of rural Gratiot, lost her courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born July 1, 1948, in Lena, IL the daughter of William and Bernadine Leitzen. Carol grew up in Gratiot, WI and graduated from Gratiot High School as Valedictorian. Following her graduation, she earned college credits from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Cardinal Stritch College, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned extended degree studies from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Carol also had a Grade III library certification.Carol was united in marriage to John C. McDaniel on July 23, 1966, in Potosi, WI. Together they have four children: Christine (Howard) Hill of Highland Park, IL, Richard (Amy) McDaniel of Darlington, Bonnie (Deane Baker) McDaniel of Columbus, WI and Tamara (Todd) Pettijohn of Elkhorn, WI; five grandchildren: Erica Halvorson, Emma Hill, Bridgit Hill, Cole Pettijohn, and Courtney Pettijohn; and three step-grandchildren: Corey Hermanson, Chayse Hermanson, and Cashton Hermanson. She is further survived by two brothers: Roger Leitzen of Milaca, MN and Alan Leitzen of Roberts, WI; and one sister: Debra Kieffer of Dodgeville, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents William D. Leitzen and Bernadine M. Leitzen of Gratiot, WI.Early in her marriage, Carol was a stay-at-home mom who taught herself how to cook and sew. She worked at the Darlington Dry Goods Store (Benedict's) as a sales clerk.Carol was passionate about helping to restore Bluebird populations. In 1981, she organized the Lafayette County Bluebird Society where she was currently serving as president. She previously served as president and director of the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin and during her tenure as vice president and director of the North American Bluebird Society she helped bring the national headquarters to Darlington. She was proud to be the author of the Eastern Bluebird species count for the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology in 2006.Carol loved working with children and in 1986 took a position as the Children's Librarian at the Darlington Public Library, where she planned many programs including the watermelon seed spit contest. In 1996, she became the Library Director and was instrumental in the building of the Johnson Public Library. She accepted the "2000 Library of the Year Award" for the community of Darlington. She retired from the library in 2007 and became the Director at the Argyle Public Library in 2010. Over the years, she was active in the Lafayette County Genealogy Society where she served as director, the Darlington Garden Club, the Darlington School Technology Committee, the Darlington United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years, the Darlington Main Street Program Economic Restructuring Committee, and was a member of the Tuesday Afternoon Book Club at the Johnson Public Library.In Carol's free-time she enjoyed reading, bird watching, sewing, hiking, skiing, and creating and teaching educational programs. She backpacked in the Sierra Mountains and the Olympic Rainforest and traveled to the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Jungle and Hawaii.Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. Carol was an excellent cook and was famous for her beautiful family dinners. She was always doing for others and making gifts for family and friends. She shared her knowledge of canning, sewing, and crocheting with her children and enjoyed playing games, going on hikes, and spending quality time with her family.A public visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday, June 4, 2021 at the Erickson Funeral Home (508 Park Place, Darlington, WI 53530). A private family spirit release service will held June 5, 2021 at Carols home. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Carol's name.