Carl F. Theiler

Carl F. Theiler, age 89, a lifelong resident of Tomahawk, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, January 2, 2025, following a brief illness. Carl was born on April 22, 1935, to the late Carl and Nell (Winker) Theiler. He married the love of his life and the apple of his eye, Barbara J. Schmit, on June 23, 1962.  Carl attended Tomahawk High School and graduated from Marquette University in 1957. After six months with the U.S Army, he went to work for the Department of Natural Resources and stayed with the state agency for four years. He left the DNR to go into real estate and logging on his own, a venture which lasted six years, and then became Lincoln County’s first zoning administrator in 1968. In 1972, Carl became the Executive Secretary for the Timber Producers Association of Michigan and Wisconsin (now known as the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association) where he represented and lobbied for loggers and the forestry industry, produced a monthly magazine and organized the annual Lake States Logging Congress. He was instrumental in planning, designing, and procuring the wood products used to build the association’s home offices in Rhinelander. Carl retired from the TPA in 1997.  At an early age Carl developed a passion for being in the woods which endured throughout his lifetime and that was evident in his smile any time he spoke of it. His happy places were the family hunting shack, his Somo cabin and tree farm, and especially his bar room at home, and he found great joy in sharing these places with others. His welcoming spirit and love of people quickly turned strangers into friends. There was nothing he loved more than sharing stories, usually with a cold beer in his hand and a twinkle in his eye. Carl lived a full and blessed life focused on the things that were most important to him—family, friends, the woods, Tomahawk, and Marquette basketball. Carl will be deeply missed by his family, but we will honor his memory by living as he did—treating each day as a gift, treasuring family and friends, showing kindness to all, and sharing stories, laughter and love.  

Carl is survived by his wife, Barbara, their children, Julie (Chris) Kainz, Connie (Mick) Norgren, Kris (Kent Dobson) Theiler, Andy (Becky) Theiler, Sara (Jeff) Salewske, and Stacy (Jay) Romant. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren—Jessica (Joe), Natalie (Jonathan), Nathan (Christina), Holly (Brad), John, Josie, Sam (Jaci), Sydney (Joey), Sophie, Carl, Kylee, Ruby, and Coco; two bonus granddaughters—Madeline (Wyatt) and Meredith; and two great-granddaughters—Jia and Lilli. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Nell, and his siblings, Sister Katherine Theiler, Ralph Theiler, Harry Theiler, Viola Schmit, and Nell Anne Virgil.

In lieu of flowers, we know Carl would love it if you share a beer and a story with friends and family. If you’re interested in doing more, the family suggests donations to the Ronald McDonald House, the Maryknoll Sisters, Our Sister’s House, or the Tyler Kahle Memorial Field (both local organizations) all causes that were close to Carl’s heart.

Services for Carl Theiler will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. A private burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Krueger-Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family.  Online Condolences for the family may be directed to www.nimsgernfuneral.com