Carol E. Burhop, age 66, of Pelican Lake died peacefully with family around her, Dec.1, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander. Carol was born Dec. 31, 1949 in Milwaukee to Clarence and Elsie (Zimmerman) Rebek. Upon graduating from high school she began working at Northwestern Hospital in Milwaukee, where she met her future husband, Jim.

After getting married and saving up enough money, they built a house in West Bend.  Carol took a job at St. Joseph’s Hospital where she helped to start the respiratory therapist department.  In 1989, she and Jim made the decision to move their family to Pelican Lake. Throughout Carol’s life she loved to spend time with family and friends. When her children were young she frequently volunteered her time with various youth groups, PTO and at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She was always the welcoming host whether it was a summer picnic, a family Christmas gathering, or a group of rambunctious teenagers or weary college students who just needed a place to hang out.

She loved spending time with her sister doing crafts, playing bingo, and attending “card club” (which was really just code for a “girl’s night out”).  She was also an avid reader, picking up a book wherever and whenever she could.  She loved her grandchildren with all of her heart and would spend hours with them playing games, doing crafts, and fishing off the pier.  She was a lover of life with her favorite quote being “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body.  But rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming…Wow what a ride!”

Carol is survived by her husband, James of Rhinelander; her two sons James (Julie) Burhop of Eau Claire and Brian (Heather) Burhop of Gleason; her grandchildren, Kate, Robert, Tyler, Hailey, Addison and Austin; her sister Sharon Smith of Pelican Lake and her nephew George (Jolene) Smith of West Allis; other family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Carlson Funeral Home with Reverend Neil Varnum officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until just prior to the services at the Carlson Funeral Home. You may leave your private condolences for the Burhop family atwww.carlsonfh.com