Caroline Marie (Reisinger) Maurer, was born on March 23, 1928, in Collegeville, Minnesota to Alphonse and Rosa Maria (Eisenschenk) Reisinger on a farm that was homesteaded in the 1890’s by her grandfather John. Caroline was the second of nine children and cherished her life on the farm. She described the joy of growing up at the farm as days filled with caring for her younger siblings, gardening, care of the animals, canning apples, pears and other foods grown at the farm with herbs and seasonings gathered and grown at their home. There was no indoor plumbing or electricity, and the phone was a party line shared by many families. After church on Sundays at St. Johns Abbey, summers were spent fishing, riding the plow horses bareback to bring the milk cows home and one-horse buggy rides in the pasture. Winters were spent ice skating and sledding with skis and sleds made by her father and brother.

Caroline followed in the footsteps of her grandmother, Carolina (Vogl) Eisenschenk who was a mid-wife in Collegeville and supported the sick and dying and held “the circle of life with both joy and sorrow.” Caroline began her career in nursing as a fifteen-year-old working at St. Cloud Hospital while attending and graduating from St. Benedicts Academy. She obtained her nursing degree in 1949 from St. Gabriels School of Nursing in Little Falls. She was known for her loving support of so many throughout her 60+ years as a nurse in Little Falls working at St. Gabriels Hospital and Family Clinic and St. Francis Convent. Her last position was working with the elderly Franciscan sisters (many were her teachers at nursing school) at Clare Residence Hall until her retirement at age 78.

Caroline married her love, Edward Math Maurer, on October 24, 1953. She wrote that Ed taught her to live, laugh and to love (and fish and hunt too). Caroline and Ed were elegant ballroom dancers and were often seen at the Falls Ballroom in their younger years. Seven children were born of this union. They purchased their home on Highland Avenue in 1959 where she resided until 2015. A perfect home for their growing family, close to fishing and space to explore and grow.

Caroline actively volunteered in Little Falls. She could be seen serving donuts and waitressing at the senior center for many years. She was on the Senior Center Board of Directors from 2014 to 2025. She was a member of the VFW Post 1112 Auxiliary and proudly carried the flag and sold poppies on Memorial Day.

Caroline had a close and affectionate relationship with her sister, Sister Marie Reisinger OSB. Together they had many adventures, including completion of a Feldenkrais Degree in 1999 in Colorado. Over a period of four years, the two ventured to Colorado often to attend their training. They also traveled to conferences all over the states following their graduation.

Caroline’s passions were sewing, quilting, gardening and baking and playing scrabble. Caroline learned to sew, embroider and quilt from her mother. During her lifetime, she made over 60 quilts for her family. Her quilts were made with an array of fabrics, colors, textures and sizes. Each quilt reflected the recipient and was handstitched and made with love. Caroline was the thread that wove and kept our family together. We are her living quilt.

Caroline embodied strength, strong will, perseverance, determination, wisdom, resilience, grace, humor and independence. She built a rich, meaningful life and was a woman whose presence became part of the architecture of a family, steady, alive and full of her own spirit all the way through. Caroline was a “valiant and virtuous woman” (Proverbs 31).

Caroline wrote “I lived a good life and gave of myself to others. I lived simply and cherished my family. It is time for me to transition. I have lived, worked and loved. I have believed in righteousness and fulfilled my reason to have been here. Do not weep too long. Remember those whom I now have left. Keep smiling. Live for today but look to tomorrow.”

Caroline will be missed and remembered with love by her sons Jerry (Kathy), Kevin (Julie), Philip (Jeannie), Galen; and daughters, Caroline (Joe), Franny (Perry).

Grandchildren: Sara (Scott), Nina (Magnus), Sean, Rachel, Jesse (Ashley), Blayne (Melissa), Angie (Dustin), Sela (Nicco), Dustin (Scarlett), Shauna (Sean), Alyssa (Luke), Joe, Charisse.

Great- grandchildren: Dana (Juleus), Macy (Omar), Jaden, Jasper, Tristin, Bradyn, Mikayla, Landon, Jordon, Mya, Leena, Clara, Samuel, Theodore, Camdyn, Elmira, Brayson, Layton.

Great-great grandson: Israel.

Sisters: Sister Marie Reisinger OSB, Clara (Jack) Knutson, Rosemarie Henn, Virginia (John) Pru; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward (Red); son, Peter, granddaughter, Aja; brothers, Aloys (Jo) Reisinger, Herman Reisinger (Judy) Paul Reisinger (Val) and Alphonse Reisinger Jr.; brother in law, Donald Henn.

The family will have a private celebration of life and burial at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley where Caroline will be buried with Ed.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Highland Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice for the superb and loving care they provided Caroline.