Obituary of Carol N. McNally

Carol N. McNally, 98, of Fort Atkinson passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Carol was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 12, 1917, the daughter of Clayton and Norma (Paquette) Ward. Carol attended West High School, Madison, Wisconsin. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class and a member of the National Honor Society. In 1938, she was a member of Delta Phi Delta - Eta Chapter and attended UW Madison and received a Bachelor of Science Art Education graduating in 1940. She went on to teach in Marshfield, Wisconsin. It was during her attendance at UW Madison, she met her husband John McNally. They were married August 9, 1941 at St. Raphael�s Cathedral in Madison. Carol and John moved to Lodi where they first farmed. They owned and operated their farm between Fort Atkinson and Cambridge in the Town of Oakland for 54 years. Carol was a fine artist and was one of the original members of the Blackhawk Artists in Fort Atkinson. She created rooms at their farm house and barn for use of the many artistic media including water-colors, fine wood carvings, acrylic and oil painting, painted and hand carved goose eggs, marbling techniques and paper-making. She had written articles for various art magazines about her marbling techniques. Her work is shown in many businesses, churches, and private homes around the community and the country. Carol was a Blackhawk Girl Scout leader for 15 years offering her love and creative skills and is fondly remembered for her positive influence. Carol was a good steward of the land on her farm and in her community, and Girl Scouting and her grandchildren were an avenue she used to share those values. Carol, with her husband John, enjoyed their Arabian and various other horses for pleasure riding. After retirement from farm life, she and John traveled extensively with their travel van. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson and belonged to the Oakland Homemakers. Carol was known for her graciousness, kindness, and an eye for beauty in all things. Surviving are her children, Molly K McNally (Eric Sandberg) of Sterling, Alaska and Patrick John (Barbara) McNally of Big Bend, WI; grandchildren, Amber McNally Sandberg of Bend, Ore., Tobias John (Kimberly) McNally Sandberg of Girdwood, Alaska, Sean McNally Sandberg, of Bend, Ore.; her brother Norman (Shirley) Ward, Seattle, WA; sister-in-law Trudy Ward, Germantown, WI, sister-in-law Shirley McNally, Santa Fe, NM. She is further survived by nephews, nieces, and relatives and friends. Carol was preceded in death, by her parents; her husband John F. McNally, grandparents, siblings Donald Ward, Dorothy Mautz, an infant sister, and daughter-in-law Jenna Layn Forrer McNally. A Mass of Christian Burial will held on Tuesday April 12, at 1:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1660 Endl Blvd. in Fort Atkinson, with Father Tom Coyle celebrating. Interment immediately will follow the Mass in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday at the church, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm. Those planning an expression of sympathy might wish to consider a memorial to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson and/or Rainbow Hospice. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Visiting Angels, Hospice, and the many neighbors and friends who visited. Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.