Caroline Stadler, 84, of Axtell, NE died November 2, 2017 at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be Monday, November 6th at 2:00 pm at the Minden Evangelical Free Church with the Reverend Tom Barnes officiating. Interment will be in Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, November 5th at the Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials are suggested to the Minden Evangelical Free Church or Axtell Women's Club. Craig Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.

She was born on April 4, 1933 in rural Adams County to Leland and Edna (Eighmy) Keister. Following the death of her mother, she lived with her aunt and uncle, Leslie and Marie Olsen. She grew up near Kenesaw, NE and graduated from Kenesaw High School, took classes at Kearney State Teacher's College and taught in rural one-room schools. She was united in marriage to Merlyn Stadler on March 28, 1953 at Bethel Union Church near Heartwell, NE. After which the couple lived in Tacoma, WA where her husband served in the US army. They returned in 1954 to the family farm.

She was a member of the Minden Evangelical Free Church, the Kearney County Historical Society, and the Axtell Women's Club and was an active volunteer in the community. She served as the state Women's Club president and was an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Merlyn Stadler, of Axtell, NE; daughters Sylvia Asay and her husband Ted of Kearney NE, Sheila Carlson of Atlanta GA, and Cindy Renteria and husband Greg of Axtell NE; six grandchildren, Aaron, Alex, and Austin Asay, Samantha Carlson, and Croix and Aubrie Renteria and spouses; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and one brother.