Carolyn N. Thomann, 79, of Fort Atkinson, died suddenly on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at St Mary’s Hospital in Madison after a brief infection.
Carolyn was born on Nov. 13, 1946, in Monroe, the second child of six and only daughter of Robert and Norine (Barney) Dalton.
As her family owned and operated restaurants in Southwestern Wisconsin, Carolyn attended schools in Black River Falls, Prairie du Chien, Potosi, and graduated from Cassville High School in 1965. She enjoyed sports and worked hard in the restaurants and had a paper route. She obtained a Bachelor of Education Degree, majoring in English and Library Sciences, from UW-Platteville, after working at the A & W and student teaching in Monroe. Her career started as a librarian for one year in the Delavan Public Schools.
After meeting her husband at dances in Green County, Carolyn and Alfred were married on Aug. 9, 1969, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. They would make the town their home and were blessed with one son, Rodger, on Aug. 11, 1970.
Carolyn returned to her career in 1971 at Palmyra-Eagle School District where she was librarian at Eagle Elementary, Instructional Materials Center (IMC) Director at the PEMS/PEHS, and District Library Media Specialist / Coordinator. During that time, she obtained Master of Education Degrees in Library Sciences from UW-Madison and Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Whitewater. To maintain her teaching licenses beyond her lifelong English and Library licenses, she also obtained many credits from Kent State in Ohio and others in Wisconsin. She was active in national and statewide professional organizations, lead several student groups locally and statewide, was an active leader in the WEA and local union, serving as president, negotiator, and in other roles. Carolyn retired after 40 years in 2011 from PEASD.
Interests of Carolyn included reading, history and current events, education, photography, video and technology, gardening, collecting teddy bears, lighthouses, angels, and owls, attending fairs and community events, sports – especially the Olympics including skating, gymnastics, swimming, track & field, women’s basketball, volleyball, and track & field, Wisconsin’s Brewers, Packers, and Bucks; and college and high school teams from the schools she attended, taught at, and those affiliated with family and friends. Carolyn was very generous with her time, talents, and treasure to assist others. She also loved to travel, having been to all 50 states, Australia, Canada, and nine countries in Europe. The best trips were with students, friends, and family or spending time visiting with family and friends.
Carolyn is survived by her husband of 56 years, Alfred P. Thomann of Fort Atkinson; son, Rodger P. Thomann, of Fort Atkinson; brothers Eugene (Kathleen) Dalton of Georgetown, Texas, Terry (Sharon) Dalton of Akron, Ohio, Dennis Dalton of Orlando, Florida, and Edward (Tracy) Dalton of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; brothers-in-law Raymond Thomann of Belleville and Leo Thomann of Monticello; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relations, and many good friends.
She was preceded in death by her father Robert on Feb. 4, 1977; mother Norine on Jan. 7, 2005; brother Daniel Dalton on March 21, 2017; brother-in-law Marvin Thomann on Nov. 24, 2025; sister-in-law Marcia Thomann on July 3, 2022; and nephew David Powers on Oct. 20, 2024.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. at Christ the King / St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church, 1760 14th St, Monroe, with Fr. Chahm Gahng and Fr. Bill Nolan co-celebrants. A visitation will take place prior to Mass at church from 10 until 11 a.m. Inurnment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 22, from 4 until 6 p.m. followed by a celebration of life until 7 p.m. for those wishing to share any memories, at Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson.
The celebration of life and mass will hopefully be livestreamed and recorded at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com. Search for Carolyn’s obituary page and a link will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in support of her passions in education and learning, equality and freedom, health, nature, animals, those less fortunate, or another remembrance of your choice. The family would also like to establish a scholarship in her name to honor the thousands of students she cared for and helped educate over 41 years.
The family wishes to thank the Fort Atkinson EMS, Fort Atkinson Hospital ER team, and the Madison St Mary’s ICU and surgery teams, chaplain, and Fr. Pat for their efforts to help Carolyn.