Carol Jean Gilson

Carol Jean Gilson, 89 of Minocqua, died on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Rennes Nursing Home in Rhinelander. Carol was born on November 14, 1936 in the town of Lincoln.

Carol graduated from Casco High School in 1954 (valedictorian). The daughter of Ernest and Lena (Lacrosse) Thiry.

Throughout the years Carol worked at Algoma Plywood, Algoma Addressagraph Multigraph Green Bay, Green Bay Correctional Institution and then purchased Gilson’s Bait & Tackle in Minocqua in 1968 and retired in 1994. Carol enjoyed volunteering for Lakeland Special Olympics, volunteering at Beef-A-Rama for the Minocqua Chamber of Commerce, was a Secular Franciscan at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff. An avid Green Bay Packer fan, she even had a (Packer G) on her garage door. Carol also enjoyed bingo, country music and loved to travel with her family to Las Vegas and Branson, Mo. to take in shows, Disney World, Grand Ole Opry, The Big Top Chautauqua and The Grand Theatre. 

Carol is known for her hard work ethic, helping her daughter Lisa in Special Olympic competition’s highlighted by a trip to Ireland, assisting her daughter Lisa with Lisa’s Shredding business and her warm smile.

Carol was instrumental in starting the Northwoods Transit Connections (Minocqua/ Rhinelander) for medical appointments, shopping and errands in Oneida County. 

Carol was awarded the Pax Christi Award by The Superior Diocese (Holy Family Catholic Church, Woodruff) in August, 2023. Carol and her (late husband) Lee were married 58 years and is survived by son Randy (Jane Jacobi) Minocqua/The Villages, Fla., daughter Lisa of Gleason, and by her sister Beverly Hillsberg Green Bay, sister Barb Metoxin Green Bay, brother Melvin (Jackie) Thiry Green Bay, sister Rosie Routhieaux Green Bay and sister-in-law Sharon Thiry Green Bay.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lee, brother Gerry Thiry, brother Marvin (Beatrice), brother Vernon (Armella), brother-in-law Duane Hillsberg, brother-in-law Jeff Routhieaux, sister Ernestine (Joe) Delebreau, brother-in-law Donnie Metoxin, sister Lorraine (Edsell) Nellis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lakeland Special Olympics P. O. Box 704 Minocqua or Holy Family Catholic Church. 

A memorial gathering for Carol will be held on Friday, May 22 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff, from 10 to 11 a.m. with memorial Mass at 11 a.m. and a luncheon will follow at the church. Inurnment will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Woodruff.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.