Carol Jean O'Connor Riesmeyer

A force of nature when it came to raising and guiding her family, and the amazing results are evident in each of her four children and seven grandchildren. A woman of enduring love, patience and grace Carol Jean O’Connor Riesmeyer (“OC”) passed away Saturday peacefully after a year-long battle with cancer. Carol was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1952 and from the beginning was brought up and educated in the Catholic church, grade school at St. Monica School and then Dominican High School. It was when she left the comfort of the Catholic church and education to attend the University of Denver that she met her lifelong partner and husband, Fritz Riesmeyer. It was during the four years in Colorado that Carol and Fritz fell in love and remained partners for life. Together they fell in love with the mountains, hiking, skiing and one too adventurous bike trip over Vail pass.

Upon graduation from the University of Denver Carol returned to Milwaukee to begin her elementary teaching career. Carol and Fritz were married in June of 1975 and Carol continued her elementary teaching career at Visitation School, with her parochial teacher’s salary supporting them while Fritz finished law school and began practicing law. Moving to Kansas City Carol built a life focused on being an incredible life partner, raising a family and being an amazing mother to their four children, Wesley, Mark, Emily, and Daniel. She was ever present in their lives as they progressed through education and developed as exceptional young adults and parents. She did this while teaching part time and holding various other part time jobs over the years, including her most rewarding job with FIRE, (Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education).

Carol is survived by the love of her life and husband, Fritz, and her children: Wesley, (Jennifer) of Chicago, Mark, (Katie) Chicago, Emily (Billy) of Kansas City and Daniel, (Mary) of Chicago. Mayme to her treasured grandchildren she is also survived by Ben, Hadley, Reece, #8 (August 2022), Connor, Paige, Hannah, and Abby. Carol is survived by her sister Marilyn Bourke of Navota, California and Robert O’Connor of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Robert Dennis O’Connor and Jean Mary Steckel, brother Dennis O’Connor, her sister Anne McKie.

There will be a visitation from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Thursday, July 28 at McGilley State Line Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, July 29 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Kansas City, Missouri. The family would appreciate the wearing of masks. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to FIRE (Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education) at “firefoundation.org”

All were blessed to know and love Carol, OC, Mayme, and her love, warmth, sense of humor and character affected everyone she met. While far too short, a life very well lived. “… and until we meet again, may God hold her in the hollow of His hand.”