Carol L. Kobza

Carol L. Kobza, a lifelong resident and business owner in the Wisconsin Rapids area, passed away on August 26, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on January 16, 1935, to Carl and Frances (Luth) Vollert, Carol was the eldest of seven children.

Carol was unconventional and ahead of her time in many ways. She had a curious mind and entrepreneurial spirit. She loved her family, reading and old houses, not necessarily in that order.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1953, she ventured out in her Hudson Jet to explore the country. She returned to Wisconsin Rapids to work in various secretarial and administrative roles before embarking on her long and successful real estate career.

In 1958, Carol married Leonard E. Kobza, with whom she shared a spirited equal partnership until his passing in 2003. Together they successfully raised three children: Lawrie, Lynnette and Lee. Carol was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

After her last child was born, Carol attended college, earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1973, majoring in business administration and social science. She went on to complete her master's degree in vocational education at the University of Wisconsin–Stout. She later taught business and real estate at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids. Carol’s love of houses led to her purchasing and repairing over 40 houses, providing homes for families primarily on the west side of town for more than 50 years. Carol held a real estate broker license from 1960 onward and was a partner with Leonard in Kobza Realty. She was active in several professional organizations serving as president of the Wisconsin Apartment Owners Association and the Wisconsin Rapids Area Board of Realtors.

Carol is survived by her three children, Lawrie Kobza (Peter Oppeneer), Madison, Lynnette Kobza (Todd Cegelski), Verona, and Lee Kobza (Cindy), Waunakee and their families. She is further survived by her brother Irv (Sharon) Vollert; sisters Susan Bean, and Alice (John) Homelvig; brother-in-law Wendell Eastling; sister-in-law Clarice (Chuck) Johnson and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, her parents, two infant children (Leonard Jr. and Lisa), her brothers Fritz and Kenneth Vollert, her sister Lois Eastling, brothers-in-law David Bean and Robert Kobza; sisters-in-law Jeanne Vollert, Bette Vollert, Linda Vollert, and Sharon Kobza

Outside her professional accomplishments, Carol was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Seneca Corners, a testament to her enduring faith and commitment to her community. Her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494. The funeral service will commence on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Seneca Corners at the Corner of Hwy D and State Road 13, Vesper, Wisconsin, 54489.

As we celebrate the life of Carol, we invite you to share your cherished memories and photographs on her memorial page. Your contributions will serve as a comforting reminder of Carol's extraordinary life and the profound impact she had on all who knew her.