Caroline K. Likel

Caroline Kruse Likel, age 98, died January 26, 2011 at Oak Hill Manor, Ithaca , NY where she had been for several weeks following a hospitalization in late December. With the help of family, neighbors and devoted caregivers she had been able to live as she wished, at home in Youngsville, NY for 45 years. She was born November 15, 1912 in Brooklyn to Beatrice Burdick Kruse and Frederick Kruse, Jr. She attended Packer Collegiate Institute, class of 1932 and Wells College, class of 1934. While growing up she traveled extensively to visit family in Colorado and California. After graduating from Wells she traveled in Europe for 6 months and then returned to Brooklyn. She married Harry Charles Likel, on June 20, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY. They lived in Brooklyn where she raised a family and was an active volunteer for the Visiting Nurse Association. The family spent summers and as many weekends as possible at the Likel family home in Youngsville. Harry and Caroline built a ski tow on the farm much to the delight of family and friends who enjoyed many weekends of easy skiing. They also established Pine Farm, a choose and cut Christmas tree farm. It provided many new friends and eventually a retirement activity when they moved there permanently in 1966. During Christmas tree season while Harry was driving the tractor carrying cut trees and giving rides to customers in the fields, Caroline could be found in the red barn, greeting and ringing up customers. Caroline took pleasure in getting to know and remember each customer, many of whom became friends and returned for years to come. By her side you could often find either her good friend Jean Ernst, or one of her two grandchildren who she patiently taught to ring up customers and make correct change. Always young at heart, even as grandparents, they were often mistaken for kids while tobogganing down the hill at Pine Farm. She was also active in the community as a member and past President of the Liberty Garden Club where she was one of those instrumental in creating the “Woodland Wildings Garden” at the Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was predeceased by her brother, Frederick Kruse and her husband, Harry. She is survived by a sister, Carlotta Kruse Burrill of Sacramento, CA, sons Frederick Likel of Dryden, NY, Charles Likel of Silver Spring, MD, grandchildren Julie Minarski (Dan) of Millis, MA and Kristen Hewitt (Dave) of Brownville, NY, and three great grandchildren, Cooper Hewitt, Claire Hewitt and Garrett Minarski. She also leaves behind her much appreciated daughters-in-law, Muriel Likel and Melodie Likel. Her vivid memories which made entertaining stories, her attention to detail, and constant caring for family and friends have created memories for generations to come. Friends may call on Saturday, February 19 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sullivan County Office for the Aging Meals on Wheels or the Youngsville Fire Dept.