Charleen Sandra (Granum) Kulcinski, 81, of Holmen, passed away on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 of Dementia at her daughters home, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 26, 1940 in La Crosse to Melvin and Harriet (Hendrickson) Granum. She attended Holmen Grade school and was a graduated of Holmen High School-Class of 1958. She attended Holmen Lutheran Church, where she was confirmed and also sang in the church choir. She married Wayne Kulcinski on June 18, 1960 and together they built a home in Onalaska, where they raised their two children Dawn Marie and John Wayne. They owned a boathouse in Copeland Park where they spent a lot of time entertaining family and friends. Char and Wayne performed trick waterskiing and also taught many children to both swim and ski. To this day there are still friends who remember those times. Later in marriage they parted ways, however remained friends for the children. It was then she started a new job at Duratech. There she loved her job and made many  new friends. They treated her well and she remained at Duratech until her retirement. She then met Bud Janusheske from Sparta and had many good times together. They rode motorcycles and took many small trips together.  She met many new friends and loved Bud’s family. They welcomed her into their lives and still remain in contact. For anyone who ever met Charleen, you never forgot meeting her. She cared about everyone and made friends easily. She would give candy (chocolate-the good stuff) to everyone she met , becoming known as the “CANDY LADY”. Char never forgot anyone’s birthday. She would make sure to call that person and make them feel special. She was a second Mom to so many people and was the one person you could go to, truly listening and willing to help. She was a proud grandma to Mercedes, Dutchess and Jordy. Charleen is survived by her children; Dawn Kulcinski (Rod Steiger) and John Kulcinski (Nikki Meek), granddaughter Mercedes Kulcinski-Haeuser, grand-dogs Jordy and Dutchess, her brothers; Vernon (Ruth) Granum and Galen (Rita) Granum, many nieces and nephews, the Janusheske family, and many cherished family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband Wayne, his brothers and sisters-in-law, a nephew and Bud Janusheske.

Stop in and get your last bag of candy from the “Candy Lady” at a gathering of family and friends from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm, Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street, Onalaska.