Obituary of Caroljean Coventree

Caroljean Coventree, beloved of many friends, life lover, lesbian, conservationist, Jew, died peacefully on August 6, 2022. Born in Waterloo, Iowa on Dec 19, 1955, Caroljean was in a car accident near her home, Wildflower Farm, in Spring Valley, WI on March 29. She died from complications from meningitis surrounded by her chosen family of Emma Hixson, Liz Hughes, Sharon Jaffe, Harry Kampert, Alissa Oppenheimer; hevruta Tammy, and many loving friends both in person and virtually during the past four months.

Caroljean loved restoring prairies and forests as much as singing. She loved being a Citizen Scientist studying birds, frogs, and dragonflies/damselflies. An avid reader; an accomplished writer; a lawyer in service to women’s rights and equity for all disenfranchised peoples; a musician, an auntie to Cassie, Maiza, Rachel, Karah; loving companion to Fran through six years of Alzheimer’s, road trips; sand hill cranes; the Lynx; a freezer full of venison hunted and butchered with friends; gardening; harvesting honey; skillful at strengthening community organizations such as The Prairie Enthusiast, Outland, Temple Sholom, Friends of Niger, which reflected her Peace Corp years; enthusiastic for rural lesbian community; actively involved in long term planning for Gilman Township WI with a focus on sustainability; enjoying Talmud study, Pesach, shofar; the healing woods and giving so much over the years to lesbian feminist endeavors;  Caroljean’s knowledge, contributions, gifts, and heartfelt passions will be truly missed.

Caroljean graduated Tripoli, Iowa high school, 1974; St Olaf college, 1978; University of MN Law School, 1983; Hamline University Masters of Creative Writing, Non-Fiction, 2011.

Caroljean carried these words in her wallet, may they be a comfort and an inspiration: 

Love yourself mightily. Tread lightly on the earth. Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. Be Kind To All. Play, sing, and dance often

Donations in her honor; The Prairie Enthusiasts, 110 S Main St, Viroqua, WI, 54665

Funeral and Shiva Minyan information are posted at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/caroljeancoventree#