Caroline Gauwitz-Kawell

Caroline Eleanor Gauwitz-Kawell, 96, of Akeley, passed away Tuesday, Nov.18, 2025, at CHI St. Joseph's Health in Park Rapids.

Caroline was born Oct. 28, 1929, in Peoria, Ill., to Wilhelm and Alberta (Butte) Binder. She grew up in Peoria where she attended school. She married Gene Gauwitz on Aug. 10, 1952, in Peoria. They lived in various locations during Gene's US Army career, settling in Walker when Gene retired. After Gene passed in 1975, Caroline married Norman Kawell.

Caroline worked at Cass County as deputy auditor. She enjoyed sewing and church work, volunteering her time at church teaching classes, sewing and serving with the women's group. She was a member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) for many years and served in the chaplin program at Ah-Gwah-Ching in Walker.

Caroline is survived by her son, Drew (Lisa) Gauwitz of Bemidji; daughter-in-law, Carla Gauwitz of Perham; close friend, Wendy Holsapple of Akeley; grandchildren Nick (Jennifer) Gauwitz, Erin (Chad) Haverkamp, Jason Gauwitz, Jennifer (Lito) Burgos, Alexis (Chas) Wall, Drew (Rachel) Gauwitz; great-grandchildren Owen Weir, Maharlika, Gianna and Mateo Burgos, Micah and Hailey Gauwitz, Addison, Tyson and Ambria Wall, Holden Ryding, Errolyn and Violet Gauwitz.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilhelm and Alberta Binder; husbands Gene Gauwitz and Norman Kawell; two sons, Gregory Gauwitz and Jeffery Gauwitz; step-daughter Linda Senn; brothers LaVerne and Alvin Binder; and sister Eileen Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 24 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Akeley. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Akeley Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids and Nevis.