Carolyn Stangl died on Saturday January 17, 2026 at the age of 51, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Carolyn was born in Southfield, Michigan on May 2, 1974 to Kathleen (nee Carroll) and Douglas Rice. Carolyn graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan, later attending and graduating from the University of Michigan where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority.

While residing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Carolyn met and married her husband of 21 years, Paul. They were blessed with three loving children, Frederick, Elizabeth and Beatrice. Carolyn will be dearly missed by her adoring husband, children, parents, brother Robert Rice, mother-in-law Karen Stangl, brothers-in-law Frank (Terrie) Stangl and Daniel (Erin) Stangl, sisters-in-law Claire (Nick) Barrale, Margaret (Kevin) McWey, Anne (James) Ibach, and Eva (Daniel) McCormack, numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends near and far. Carolyn was preceded in death by her father-in-law Richard Stangl.

Blessed with an endless "gift for gab", Carolyn was the life of the party and never forgot a face. She spent 18 years in residential real estate most recently with Compass. First and foremost, Carolyn was a loving and caring mother, putting her children above all else. She was an active member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Parish in Cedarburg. Never one to say no, Carolyn volunteered for numerous organizations, charitable events and school functions, including St. Francis Borgia Catholic School. She was a previous president and board member of the Ozaukee Realtors Association and dedicated 10 years to the Cedarburg Junior Woman's Club.

In her downtime (of which she had little), Carolyn enjoyed cooking and baking, binging the latest TV series, listening to true crime podcasts, reading the latest popular fiction and traveling. An event planner at heart, she organized and hosted the liveliest parties for family and friends at their country home in the Town of Trenton. But her most cherished times were those spent with her children.

Visitation will be at the Eernisse Funeral Home, 1167 Washington Avenue in Cedarburg on Sunday, January 25,

from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 26, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church – South, N44 W6055 Hamilton Road in Cedarburg. Private burial will held by the family at Forest Home Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Aurora Hospital and Cancer Center in Grafton for their assistance and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Carolyn's name.

Online condolences can be left for the family at www.eernissefuneralhome.com. The Eernisse Funeral Home-Michael Schramka Associate is assisting the family.