Carolyn Dae Korhonen, 80, of Brule, WI, passed on Saturday September 26. She faced her long cancer journey with the love of her friends and family, her signature humor, and her Finnish sisu. She was born on February 13, 1946 to Elsie (Alexson) and John Johnson. She adored her parents and had a happy childhood on the family farm near the Brule River. She had close relationships with her cousins, who were also her neighbors and dearest friends, and those special relationships continued throughout their lives.

Carolyn attended Northwestern High School where she met her future husband, Lester Korhonen. She graduated in 1964 and then went on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Superior where she graduated with a degree in art education. Carolyn began her teaching career at Central Junior High School in Superior and then spent the majority of her 30 plus years of teaching at Senior High School in Superior where she was beloved for teaching with passion and humor and for celebrating and encouraging uniqueness in her students’ art and lives. She married Lester on December 2nd, 1967, in Brule, WI. They had many adventures together over the years and enjoyed traveling, camping, snowmobiling, and attending classic car shows and swap meets. They built a beautiful home in the woods in Poplar, WI where they loved to entertain. Carolyn shared her love of books and art and adventure with her daughters, and she took them all over the South Shore of Lake Superior and the Brule River area making joyful memories as they grew up. When Lester died in 2002, Carolyn moved back to her family homestead in Waino and lovingly restored the interior Finnish log work there and settled in to become a cherished member of that community. Carolyn was a talented artist and supporter of other creatives. She loved to be surrounded by books and art and natural beauty. She had a curious and adventurous nature and a fabulous sense of humor and youthful spirit that made her a favorite relative, neighbor, teacher, auntie, and friend to many. She was affectionately known as “Mrs. K” to students, “the Queen of Waino” to friends and neighbors, and “Moonbeam” to a close few. She maintained many close lifelong friendships that meant the world to her, and she would often remark on how she had such good friends. She was kind and generous and unique and authentic and hilarious. She will be greatly missed by so many.

Carolyn is survived by her daughters Lynn Korhonen and her spouse Jessica Fauver, and Jill Korhonen and her partner Jacob Haydon. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, brother Michael, husband Lester, and many dear friends and relatives. A celebration of her wonderful life will be announced at a later date.