Posted: 02.10.2011

In less then eight months, Joel, Mark and Ryan Nilsesteun have lost both their parents.  Thursday, their mother, Carol, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Pam Jahnke learned from David Cooper, Family Dairies USA General Manager, that the wife of former Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Rod Nilsesteun passed away after a short stay in Hospice Care.  In July of 2010, her husband died in an accidental drowning accident in Lake Superior while helping on a Habitat for Humanity project. Carol was there.

Carol always seemed to be there.  She and Rod met in college and married in 1970.  She routinely accompanied Rod on his many public functions and visited easily with many of the agricultural and political partners that Rod had made.  She was dedicated to her family and her church.

Details are still pending - but the WI Farm Report extend our sympathies to Joel, Mark and Ryan.  Both of your parents were very special people and I'm pleased I had the opportunity to know them.

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