In Memoriam: Carol Olson Gainer (1942-2017)

Carol Lee Wiggins Olson Gainer, also known as Lady Cybele, was born in 1942 in Winona, Minnesota and died on November 27, 2017 in Holmen, Wisconsin.  A Pagan elder and practitioner of Family Tradition Craft, Lady Cybele was part of the Circle Sanctuary Community since it began in 1974, and over the years contributed in a variety of ways including writing articles for Circle publications, teaching workshops and performing music at festivals, facilitating weatherworking rites at the Pagan Spirit Gathering, and assisting with some of the Pagan civil rights and religious freedom endeavors of the Lady Liberty League.  We mourn her passing but take comfort in knowing that she lives on in the many lives she enriched.  A memorial ceremony is being planned for Circle Cemetery.

Obituary

On Monday, November 27, 2017, Carol Lee Wiggins Olson Gainer went joyfully to the Summerland accompanied by her beloved horse Copper King (1954-1988) in spirit.

She was born in 1942 in Winona, Minnesota to Leland Edward Wiggins and his wife, Mabel Cecilia (Johnson) Wiggins. She graduated from Winona Senior High School and attended Luther College and University of Wisconsin- Madison. She graduated cum laude from LaCrosse State College (now University) and attended the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison. 

She was active in her union and in 1985 was-selected as the AFL-CIO Wisconsin Woman-of-the Year. She was appointed by Gov. Tony Earl to the Comparable Worth Task Force and the Child Care Task Force.

In 1964 she married David Olson in Madison, Wisconsin and later divorced. She became engaged to George Pritchard who died August 10,1975.  She married Joel Gainer September 2, 1979; and he died March 25, 2009.

In 1986 she became the West Central Field Representative for AFSCME Council 24, WSEU and served there for nearly 20 years before retiring. She was active in the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and was secretary of the Retired Enlisted Association (TREA).

She was a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism since 1972, where she adopted the persona of Lady Cybele of Rowangrove. She was active in Science Fiction Fandom for many years and practiced Family Tradition Wicca.

She is survived by two sons: Scott (Jennifer) Olson and their daughters, Claudia McIntosh and Claire Olson of Waunakee, and Christopher (Linda) Olson of Madison; an uncle, Charles (Ruby) Wiggins; an aunt, Nadia Wiggins; many cousins, and three special friends, Robin Arnhold (Beket), Karyn Schmidt, and Bridget Kielus-Fecyk.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her fiancé, and her husband.

Memorials are to be sent to Circle Sanctuary, P.O. Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507.
Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again!
Ride well Khanate in Pale Horse.  

Memorial Ceremony & Burial

Family, Friends, and Circle Sanctuary Community members remembered Carol (Cybele) and celebrated her life at her Memorial Ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve near Barneveld, Wisconsin.  

The Memorial Ceremony was facilitated by Rev. Selena Fox & Dr. Dennis Carpenter, and included remembrances, cremains burial, and gravestone dedication.

Memorial Remembrances