Carol Jean Dziak

Carol Jean Dziak beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on August 15, 2026 due to complications of Alzheimers.

Born September 2, 1937 in Aniwa, Wisconsin, Carol was the eldest daughter of Larry and Laverne (nee Resch) Armstrong. Her family later moved from Aniwa to Milwaukee, where she would attend and graduate from Saint John Cathedral High School in 1956. When her future husband, Raymond, moved in next door to her home on 5th street in Milwaukee, their beautiful and enduring love story began. They married in 1957, had three children together and forged a life filled with adventure, sharing 67 wonderful years together until Ray’s passing in 2024.

Carol had an interest in art and showed great talent at a very young age. While her siblings and neighborhood children played outside, she spent most of her spare time inside drawing, painting and designing clothes for her paper dolls. Design and fashion were always her favorite interest and was reflected in most everything. After her marriage, she began oil painting as a hobby, portraits being her favorite subject. She would also branch out to sculpting, floral arranging and other assorted arts and crafts. She began Rosemaling in 1969, after a trip to Little Norway Wisconsin, and taught classes at Milwaukee Area Technical College. She was a member of the Norse Rosemalers Association, becoming a gold medal winning Rosemaler in 1980. Carol’s Rosemaling is exhibited at the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa, and in Norway. Her artwork can also be found at the Milwaukee Public Museum European Village, where she assisted with painting and construction. As Entrepreneurs, Carol and Ray sold the successful trucking company they owned and operated in Milwaukee and moved to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where they spent 2 years refurbishing a 118-year-old historic hotel. Despite its success upon reopening, the harsh weather prompted them to fulfill a dream of many years, to live in Virginia, and they moved there in the fall of 1984. There they owned and operated the Village Inn located outside of Lovingston, Virginia, until 1998 and then retired to Amherst, Virginia where they lived until 2024.

Carol’s interests were diverse as they were inspiring, and she was never idle, with a creative project always in the works. She enjoyed puzzles, had a collection of hundreds of books and was an avid reader, history and biographies being her favorite. She designed and sewed clothes her entire life including beautiful gowns, elaborate costumes and wedding dresses for her daughters. She collected antiques and loved to cook and host dinner parties. She was an active member of her community, contributing her time and talents to the Amherst Women’s Club and Village Garden Club. Carol and Ray were instrumental in creating the design and installation of the Fountain and gardens of the Amherst traffic circle.

In addition to her husband Raymond Dziak, Carol was proceeded in death by her sisters, Patricia DeLeon, Vernice Lancour and Sandra Kasel and is survived by her brother Jeffrey Armstrong, three children Candy Straebel, Robin (Dale) Klotz and Kelly (Taunya) Dziak, four grandchildren Aaron (Katy) Straebel, Matthew (Bryn) Straebel, Brian Dziak and Kelsey Dziak, three great grandchildren Graham, Harper and Kellen, and many dear friends.

Carol’s life was one of love, art and friendship. Her incredible beauty and spirit will forever be in our hearts and there are no words to describe how greatly she will be missed. Her passing was peaceful, and she has now joined her husband in life for almost 69 years in a better place, where she will be forever young and beautiful.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at The Key, Centra Hospice and a few special staff at Pearls of Life Memory Care, for their compassion, kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Carol’s memory may make donations to the non-profit Alzheimer's Association at https://donarservices.Alzheimer's Association in dedication to Carol. 

A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Wisconsin, where they will be interred.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family.