Carolyn M. Rakow

Carolyn M. Rakow, 77 of Bruce, Wisconsin, died March 6, 2026 in Chetek from a stroke after a six-week illness. She was born on April 8, 1948 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin to Robert and Idella Weiher. They precede her in death. Carolyn was a lifelong resident of the Bruce area. In 1967, she married Lewis Woodmansee and accompanied him to Tokyo while he served three years in the Army. They had three sons together - Mike, Jeff and Ryan. They later divorced. In 1998, she met Wayne Rakow, her soulmate. They married in Bruce on September 27, 1998 and spent 27 happy years together.

Carolyn deeply loved her 3 sons and referred to herself as a "Mother Bear."

She worked as a cook for Head Start for many years and all the children called her Mrs. Cook. She was beyond compare when it came to making incredible meals.

Carolyn loved her home which she called her "Enchanted Cottage." She always looked forward to Spring so she could decorate the outside with flowers.

Carolyn had many friends in Bruce and Ladysmith and loved to socialize with them. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her husband Wayne, sons Micheal Woodmansee of Wausau, WI, Jeffrey (Beth) Woodmansee of Ladysmith and Ryan (Tracy) Woodmansee of Bruce, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and her brother Dr. Richard (Marilynn) Weiher of Reno, Nevada. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Idella Weiher, brother Freeman and 3 sisters Roberta, Lois and Rita.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

A complete obituary will be published in the Ladysmith News.