Carolee Wise, 47, was tragically taken from us far too soon, leaving behind a lasting memory of love, kindness, and selflessness. Carolee was born on March 27, 1979, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and was called home on April 27, 2026. She moved to Emmetsburg in 1991, where she built a life filled with deep connections, friendship, and community. She graduated from Emmetsburg High School in 1997 and went on to earn her degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
She dedicated nearly 30 years of her life to the healthcare field, most recently serving at Kossuth Regional Health Center. Through her work, Carolee touched countless lives with her compassion, dedication, and genuine care for others. Her career reflected exactly who she was; selfless, giving, and always there when someone needed support.
Family meant everything to Carolee. She is survived by her loving parents, Mike and Bernie Wise of Emmetsburg; her sister Chris Nelson (Jeremiah) of Cedar Rapids and her children Aaron (Maggie), Marcus (Molly), and Abigail (Ryan) Nelson; her brother Daniel Wise of Emmetsburg and his daughters Shaylee and Myah Wise; and her sister Caitlin Worel (Wesley) of Cushing, Minnesota, along with their children Emma and Reed Worel. She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews Bobbi, Charlie, and Isaac Wise of Emmetsburg.
She also shared a special bond with her beloved dogs, Stella and Storm, who were truly her babies and brought her endless comfort and companionship.
Carolee found happiness in the moments that mattered most, time with loved ones, warm days on the water, and life’s simple pleasures. She enjoyed football, sushi, and a good thrift shopping find, always appreciating the little things that made life feel full!
She had a true love for cooking and bringing people together around food. She will be especially remembered for her potato salad and ham balls; simple things that became meaningful traditions because of the care and love she put into them.
Above all, Carolee will be remembered for her kind and nonjudgmental heart. She had a way of making people feel accepted and cared for just as they were. She was someone who naturally put others first, always ready to help, to listen, or to give whatever she could to make someone else’s day a little easier.
Though her time here was far too short, the love she gave so freely will continue to live within the many lives she touched. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, May 22, from 4:00 p.m. To 6:30 p.m. at Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg. A Funeral Mass celebrating Carolee’s life will be held Saturday, May 23, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Parish in Emmetsburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed through Iowa Trust & Savings Bank in Carolee’s honor.
