Mary Carol Flatow Solum

Mary Carol Flatow Solum, age 81, of Merrimac, passed away peacefully as she wished in her home. Her granddaughter Jennifer, Jennifer's husband Dustin, and their two daughters Olivia and Vivian by her side on December 17, 2024.

Mary Carol was born on January 11, 1943, at St. Mary’s Ringling Hospital in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The proud daughter of a WWII veteran (Vilas Flatow) and Obstetrics Nurse (Charlotte “Libby” Flatow) and the protective older sister of brother John “Jack” Flatow. She grew up in Baraboo, graduated the class of 61, and attended college at UW Stout for business. She worked at her father’s printing business, Circus City Printers in downtown Baraboo. One of her favorite pastimes was the many happy summers at the family farm in Clayton, Wisconsin with her two cousins, Aunt Helen, Uncle Victor and Grandma Libby. 

Mary Carol married Norman James Darcy Solum in Baraboo on March 31, 1962. The lover of Coca-Cola and the color red, she was smitten when she saw him in his little red convertible sports car, downtown by the corner drugstore, and the rest was history. Mary Carol and Norman were the parents of two very hard-working daughters, Debra and Elizabeth “Trisha”. Their family grew to 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Mary and Norman enjoyed 42 happy years of marriage until his death on December 27, 2004. Her heart always belonged to him, and she never remarried. 

Mary Carol was a true renaissance woman whose passions and interests were many and diverse, such as making beaded necklaces, collecting Boyds bears, handmade clothing, gardening, making cards, writing letters, calling her friends, rescuing animal's (fur & feathered), dog sledding, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, birdwatching, anything she put her mind to really. In her personal time, Mary Carol could be found snuggling her kitty Nala and enjoying a cup of cold black coffee while reading and/or writing. Due to her high frequency in consuming literature, she was known as the “Merrimac Branch” at the Carnegie Schadde Memorial Public Library. She LOVED to write and had a clever way of doing so, which garnered her an opportunity as a newspaper columnist, writing “Fluff ‘n Stuff” under the nom de plume Mary Q. Contraire. A lover of flowers, especially red roses and geraniums, she was an active Master Gardener. Completing the course for a second time with Jennifer, they spent many happy hours gardening at her rural Merrimac home on what she called “the mountain” on Solum Lane. She enjoyed volunteering her gardening skills for area nonprofits. She was informally known as “The Dancing Queen” during the years when she taught ballroom disco dancing, even winning a couple of contests with her favorite dance partner, Keith Kohlmeyer. Always one to enjoy an adventure and traditionally known as “Santa Grandma” she even brought Santa Claus to Baraboo one time in a sled pulled by her Siberian Huskies. She loved her family with all of her heart. She was a wonderful, devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother who was always doing her best to help facilitate success in their lives and passions. 

Mary Carol was perhaps best known as an empath, one who deeply felt others’ cares and concerns. She generously ministered to others, always making time to listen, to serve and to care. She was a Lamaze coach, helping many babies come into this world. She served as guardian to numerous Sauk County adults. She and her mother co-founded a local Alzheimer’s support group. In addition, Mary Carol rescued countless surrendered and stray animals that found their way into the safety of her heart and home. To her family, she was passionate and steadfast in her devotion, always going the extra mile to ensure their happiness and success. And to the group of women she called her “Magnificent Seven,” she was a friend like none other in her devotion and compassion. Family and friends referred to her as the “mother to all” and “everybody’s grandma” because she was forever game to take part in their lives. Fueled by butterfingers and Cheetos, she wore many hats and wore them exceptionally well. One of those hats was serving on the Town of Merrimac’s Land Use Planning and Conservation Board. For many years, she served as an election official for the Town of Merrimac, working the polls and bringing her famous Yankee Pot Roast to feed her fellow election volunteers. A naturalist and true activist, she and dear friend Laura Olah organized Sauk County’s first Earth Day celebration. She went on to as she called it “ride shotgun” with Laura for almost 3 decades on many projects such as, Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger Board, the Badger Restoration Advisory Board, and the Badger Oversight Management Commission. Mary Carol’s life of service garnered her respect, awards and accolades throughout the years, including the Carol award from the Baraboo Jaycettes and a Backyard Hero Award from Wisconsin Governor, James Doyle. 

With leadership skills that always shined, Mary Carol spent most of her working years in hospitality management at various supper clubs throughout Sauk County and beyond, where she was respected and loved by both the businesses’ owners and employees and patrons alike. She devoted most of her life to service and helping others. She took great pride in leaving something better than the way she found it. A fierce leader, she will be greatly missed. 

Mary Carol is survived by her daughters, Debra Adams and Elizabeth “Trisha” (Brian) Churchill; grandchildren: Brooke Schonenberger, Jennifer (Dustin) Hoff, Jacob Schonenberger, Kimberly Schonenberger, Brittany Spaude, Alexandrea Throndson, Brianna Adams, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother.

Join us for a celebration of Mary Carol’s life, held at the (Yellow) Ringling House 201 8th St Baraboo, WI on May 17, 2025, from 1pm-4pm. Catered by Trisha’s Cottage Kitchen Catering. Feel free to wear something RED.      

Memorials in Mary Carol’s name may be made to her family. Her family also encourages everyone to live like Mary Carol did by taking time to do something good for someone or something else. Be kind, plant a tree, rescue a critter.

“I came, I conquered, I had a blast.” – Mary Carol  – December 13, 2024