Carol Edge

Carol Marie Klinge Edge, 91, of Platteville, died on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at her home. Funeral services will be at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of plants/flowers to please make contributions to three organizations that Carol has selected, the Grant County Cancer Coalition, Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance, or the Platteville area event center at Legion Field. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Carol was born April 9, 1928 in Lafayette county, WI. At two years old she and her parents Frederick and Alma (Schroeder) Klinge moved to the Klinge farm south of Platteville known for its Rock house on business hwy 151. Carol was the oldest of four children. She attended the Woodchuck country school all 8 grades. She graduated from Platteville High School in 1946 with High Honors. After High School she attended the Business Institute of Milwaukee studying bookkeeping. Her first job was at Frederick Post in Milwaukee. Carol moved back to Platteville and worked for Crescent Electric Supply Co. in Dubuque as a bookkeeper and payroll clerk until she was married to John W. Edge Jr on June 2, 1951. John and Carol remained on the Klinge farm until they purchased Mound Valley farm in December, 1955. Together they developed a registered Holstein herd of dairy cows, raised hogs, chickens, Holstein steers for beef, and sheep for a short time.

In 1992 the home farm was sold and they moved closer to Platteville. On the farm, Carol was always working with John, whether it was baling hay, washing milkers, feeding calves, or making lunches. Neighbor boys and college fellas were fed many meals by her as the "hired men". Every year, including into retirement, she had a garden and canned produce for the winter.

Together, she and John started the Platteville Woodchucks 4-H club in 1953 and served as its general leaders for over 40 years. Carol was the foods leader for the club and in 1963 began serving as a Grant County Fair superintendent. Since 2016, a special merit award is presented to the most outstanding junior food exhibit at the Grant County Fair in her name.

In 1955, Carol helped organize the Eager Beavers Homemaker Club for area ladies and was a member for over 50 years. She had held all of the officer positions in the club at one time or another. She also served on the Grant County Extension Homemaker Board and served a term as State Secretary for Wisconsin Homemakers.

Carol and John were early Dairy Day 4-H exhibit leaders when it was held in downtown Platteville and continued when it later moved to Legion Field. 4-H was an important part of Carol and John's lives and together they traveled with other state leaders across the U.S. and Wisconsin and she has continued to meet with them every year.

Carol was a life long baptized and confirmed member of the Lutheran Church of Peace where she served on the church council, counted money, was a member of the Hannah circle, sewed quilts for mission, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school, and was on the serving and altar committee.

Carol and John received awards for their commitment to agriculture and community service including being named Grant County Outstanding Young Farmer in 1959, receiving 2nd place in Wisconsin. In 1983 they were named Farm Family of the year by KDTH radio and hosted a radio show at the farm. In 1991 they were named Platteville Citizens of the year. They each served on boards for AMPI and Pork Producers promoting agriculture products they raised.

Carol served on the United Way board, assisted with Meals on Wheels deliveries, was election clerk for Platteville township, served on the Platteville Thrift shop board and also volunteered. She greatly enjoyed being a member of the "Lunch Bunch" card group and a couples card group. She enjoyed walking with friends in her neighborhood every morning and especially enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune.

Carol was a breast cancer survivor since 1986, loved to go camping, travel, having been to most states including Hawaii and Alaska, Germany, and Switzerland. She enjoyed watching the Brewers, Packers, Badgers and attended many UW-Platteville football and baseball games. She was especially proud of watching her grandson Bryan, play football at Lancaster, including a State Championship and All-State game.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Virginia Peake; grandson, Bryan J. Peake (Kelsey Moreland); sister, Fern Whitcher,; nieces, Bev (Tom) Taber, Betty (Roger) Schambow, Barb (Mike) Canon, Sheri Engelke, Karla (Ty) Witzig, Lou Ann (Steve) Adrian, and Susan (John) Hrubes; nephews, Ron (Cindy) Klinge, Will Klinge, and Bryan Klinge; cousins, extended relatives, and many dear friends.

She was preceded by her parents, Fred and Alma Klinge; infant sister; son, Douglas A. Edge in April 1976; husband, John in July 1995; son in law, Donald Peake in December 2009; bother, Herbert (Marge) Klinge; brothers-in-law, Kenny Whitcher and Walter (Dorothy) Edge; sister-in-law, Charlotte (Everett) Cullen; nephew, Mike Engelke; and great-nephews, Greg Adrian, Roy Schambow, and Keith Taber. The family wishes to thank the team of care givers that made her last six weeks at home possible along with the St. Croix hospice staff, Deanna and Missy, for providing care to make her comfortable.