In Memory
Carolyn Mae Rishaug
Aug. 22, 1936 - Sep. 7, 2016
NEW CARLISLE, IN - Carolyn Mae Rishaug, 80, of New Carlisle, passed away early Wednesday morning Sept. 7, 2016 at her son, Erik Rishaug's house in Taylorsville, KY.
Born Aug. 22, 1936 in South Bend, she was the youngest daughter of Frank Mahler and Thelma Ward. They preceded her in death along with her husband, Terje Rishaug, who was the love of her life. She is survived by her two sons Scott VanMele, 52, Beaverton, OR and Erik Rishaug, 42, Taylorsville, KY; one grandchild, Maren Rishaug.
She was very close to her late sister, Delores Burtsfield. Graduated from John Adams high school South Bend in 1954, during which she played trombone and was a drum majorette. After, she worked for Associates as Executive Secretary for 9 years. Her first marriage was to Richard VanMele and Scott was her first son. In 1973 she married Terje Rishaug and they moved out into the country on 32 acres in New Carlisle. Shortly after, she had Erik. This blended family consisted of: (late)Edel Jonasen, Anne (Mikos) Jeszenszky, Berit (Vince) Haas, Scott (Ann) VanMele, Lars (Gerilynne) Rishaug and Erik (Kathy) Rishaug.
Carolyn managed the financial matters of Rishaug Painting & Wallcoverings for about 30 years. She had a powerful voice and sang Lead in the South Bend chapter of Sweet Adelines for 25 years. This city girl turned country even helped ewes give birth to baby lambs. A great sense of humor and would laugh until crying. She loved growing beautiful flowers and had a true “green thumb”. Carolyn was an extremely loving person that thought about others before herself. Some of her school friends: R. Onderdonk, K. Bauer, J. Cowan, R. Eddy, M. Elliott, A. Pressing, M. Thompson, B. Varda, D. Yoder and D. Layman.
A Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. EST 9/30 at the LaPorte Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1480 Boyd Blvd., LaPorte, IN. Such a unique and caring woman will be missed by all who knew her.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Sept. 18, 2016.
09/26/2021 DEC
|