Carol Ann Sarra (Basche)

Carol Ann Sarra (Basche) age 90, passed into eternal life on May 1, 2026. In her final hours, she was surrounded by her loving family and loved ones.

Born on September 4, 1935, she was the eldest of 6 children to the late Frank and Caroline (Effenberger) Basche. Carol was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin and was a graduate of Preble High School where she was active in many school activities, musicals and productions. She had a beautiful soprano voice and was a very proud member of “The Sweet Sixteens” performing at various functions throughout the Green Bay area. She often reminisced of that experience with excitement, zeal and fondness!

Together, with her first husband, she was blessed with 3 children, Cynthia, Jacob and Barbara.

She went on to meet the love of her life, Salvatore (Sam) Sarra. They were united in marriage on July 30th, 1968. Sam and Carol purchased an old farmstead south of Fond du Lac near Eden, WI. As a family, with hard work and a vision, they transformed the “Farm” into the home of their dreams! Carol referred to it as their “Miracle on Hwy 45”

While attending to family life, she worked diligently to attain her Real Estate License. She worked for several agencies in the FDL area, eventually forming “Carol Sarra Realty” and there-after became co-owner in Cornerstone Realty. She was focused and dedicated to her role as a real estate agent. She was considered a “Rock-In Sock-in” Real Estate Lady! Her hard work, diligence and success was recognized with many awards and accolades. She was highly respected throughout the real estate community and was one of the best!

In addition, Carol, along with her daughter, Cindy, purchased and ran H&R Estate Sales for many years.

Together with Sam, Jake and his wife Mary, and other partners they purchased Calumet Harbor Marina, Inc in 1989. With much hard work and a vision, they transformed it into a thriving business and safe harbor for patrons and boaters on Lake Winnebago. Carol enjoyed many family celebrations, birthdays, holidays and special occasions celebrated at the Marina. She loved helping and organizing events, especially “The Annual Fall Chili Fest” where she was the “Pumpkin Carving” contest coordinator, which she looked forward to and so much enjoyed! She loved boat rides with family and friends and occasional sailing with her husband.

Carol LOVED the outdoors!! Throughout her adult life she enjoyed downhill skiing and cherished her trips to Western Ski Resorts with her beloved sister Annie. Sam and Carol would enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horse riding, tractor hayrides and peaceful walks through the trails on their land with family and friends! Flower gardening was a great passion of hers and dear to her heart!

Carol and Sam had a great appreciation of art, antiquities and fine craftsmanship. They would love to go antiquing and to auctions! Together and separately, they were collectors and treasure hunters!

Carol loved a good party. She loved to dance and sing! Not only with her husband, Sam, but with anyone willing to dance with her! Back in the day their favorite place to go dancing was The Colony Supper Club and listen to “Memory Time Music” and dance! She was also a welcoming host at many of her own parties and various events and functions. She loved having guests and entertaining at her home. She did so with impeccable taste, care and detail. She took great pride in her lovely surroundings and décor. Carol was also a “fashionista” and was always dressed to the “NINES” for special events and outings! She had great style! A great smile, and a great sense of humor and sayings – to name a few! Don’t be a noodle, Good Groceries, H-E double toothpicks which Carol changed to H-E double hockey sticks and many more!

Carol was active in several clubs in the FDL area. She was a member of Heritage Club since 1968 (enjoying the role as “president” for many years) she was an Honorary member until her passing. Her last “outing” with the ladies was March of 2026! In addition, she was a member of Service League, League of Women Voters, and Bridge Club! She loved playing cards with her many friends on Saturday nights.

Grandma Carol LOVED every minute being a Grandma and Great-Grandma Grandma from babysitting, celebrating birthdays, holidays and many more celebrations with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren! One of her passions was watching her Grandson (Jacob Jr) play Hockey! She was one of his biggest fans and a true Hockey Grandma! Being around “ALL” her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren was one of her GREASTEST joys! Grandma Carol was always willing to participate in playing board games/cards, put puzzles together, play Ally Ally over and marbles, etc Whatever her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren wanted to do, she would join in. She was always up to a challenge! Carol LOVED and adored each one of them!

While she resided in Green Bay, Carol enjoyed loving care, peaceful surroundings and breathtaking sunsets on the Bay. She was included in and attended many neighborhood gatherings and continuously graced everyone in her presence with her infectious beautiful smile, kindness to all, always positive attitude and gratitude! She truly made an impression of warmth and happiness! Carol will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by every person she met and, in our hearts, forever!

Carol and Sam considered James (Jimmy) Kedzierski a very close and dear friend, who lived with them for 3 years and is also a partner in Calumet Harbor Marina, Inc.

A Special Thanks to Greg and Sue Goral for all their help and support over the last several years!

Her final days were made comfortable by the exceptional care of Moments Hospice. Her primary nurse Breann and CNA Naomi, along with other team members, provided outstanding care and compassion to Mom in particular; along with immediate family. We’d also like to recognize the Curative program and the special services they provided and Rose, her personal caregiver.

Carol is survived by her son, Jacob “Jake” (Mary) Basten, Sr. – De Pere, WI; her daughter, Barbara Basten – Green Bay, WI; three grandchildren, Jenifer (Justin) Leistiko – Green Bay, WI, Jacob (Stacy) Basten, Jr. – Eagle, WI, Julianna (Dale) Huens – Green Bay, WI; and nine great grandchildren and one on the way in June, Maxwell Leistiko, Cecelia Leistiko, Jacob III, Madelyn, Gracie, Eloise, Deacon, Gabriel, and baby #7 Basten; and June Pearl Huens.

She is further survived by brother-in-law, Norman Goral; sister-in-law, Suaree Basche, sister-in-law, Deborah Basche; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death: her parents, Frank and Caroline Basche; her husband, Salvatore “Sam” Sarra; her daughter, Cynthia Basten-Turley; sisters, Annette Fabry, Cecile Goral, Laurie Basche; brothers, Wynn Basche, Stephen Basche; brother-in-law, Lee Fabry.

In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established.

Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E Division St, in Fond du Lac. Liturgy of the Word Service will follow at 1:00 PM.

Committal and burial will take place at St. Mary Cemetery in Eden, WI after the service.