Carol Lorraine O'Leksy

Charlottesville - Carol Lorraine (Colson) O'Leksy, age 91, of Charlottesville, Virginia, left for her eternal reward on January 19, 2025, peacefully holding the hands of her husband of 71 years, William (Bill) O'Leksy. Daughters Mary K. and Ann, with their husbands, were at her side.

Born in Kasota, Minnesota to the late Charles and Clara Colson, Carol and her veteran husband made the last of 25 Army moves before retiring to a very active 32 years in Dahlonega, Georgia, and finally, to Charlottesville senior living. She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter Therese Fox, grand-daughter Katherine Postak, and her older sisters, Delores Krause and Marie Marshall. She is survived by four remaining daughters, Mary (Gary) Thiel of Hilbert Wisconsin, Ann (Jay) Postak in Keswick Virginia, Susan Erickson of Dallas Georgia, and Elisabeth O'Leksy of Dahlonega, Georgia. Her brother, Bob Colson, lives in Freedom, Wisconsin.

Although her body's heart had failed, she took with her a lifetime of guiding and loving a large family progeny of 41 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her exemplary and inexhaustible energy also served God's work during 35 years as an Army wife, managing the home fires during Bill's tours in Korea and Vietnam and, when he took on the social responsibilities of a general officer, she set a model example for younger wives. Hired for her Red Cross and hospital volunteer experience when Bill retired, she spent 25 years filling several key positions in Lumpkin County's only hospital. (In her 80's she was coaxed back from retirement three times!) She also continued her habits as an active volunteer, providing valuable assistance to St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church as it grew to meet a growing population in Dahlonega. Her many contributions to the community included a role in the establishment of "No One Alone", a much-needed emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

A funeral Mass is being celebrated at Saint Thomas Aquinas University Parish, 401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, at 11 am on Friday, January 31 followed by a reception for attending friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Funds as her memorial to which Carol and Bill served during their volunteer days.