Noelie Moran

Noelie Marie (Carstens) Moran
“Our Angel on Earth”

Noelie Moran, 87, wife, mother, friend, nurse, comedian, mentor, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Noelie was born on October 20, 1923 to Charles and Marie (Blanchette) Carstens in New Iberia, Louisiana. Her mother passed away when she was six months old and her step-mother when she was three. She was then raised by her Aunt T'Maude and Nanny Ethel. She graduated from Southwestern Lousiana Institute where she was a member of the Newman Club. After graduating, she taught and practiced nursing at Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans, St Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, and Dorchester Hospital in Door County. Her last job was as an Infectious Disease nurse and Director of Nursing at Oakridge Gardens Nursing Home, where she retired in 1993 after 20 years. She married Frank Moran on December 26, 1953 (the year Christmas came late for Frank) in St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Iberia. She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Noelie had a great sense of humor and was very quick-witted, always sharing a joke with everyone she knew and even those she didn't know. She had a pun or joke for Frank every day of their fifty-seven years of marriage. She was a caring and loving person who always put others first. She loved her family and looked forward to the annual “gatherings” when all her children came home. The most important thing in her life was her family and the wonderful times they were able to spend together. Everyone was always welcome in her home, where she would make room for one more at the table, even when the cupboard was bare. She loved traveling to her native Louisiana and made many trips to Door County to enjoy a “JJ” burger. She loved her flowers and gardening, enjoyed writing, campfires, sewing, and cooking her gumbo. She was a gifted piano player who could play “by ear” and sing along, bringing much joy to all the lives she touched.

Noelie is survived by her husband, Frank of Kimberly, seven children: Mary Ellen Fisher of Appleton, Nancy (Chris)Widen of Nashville, Bryan (Mary) Moran of Appleton, Cathy (Kent) Wales of Marquette, Michigan, Louise (Timm) Kunstman of Sister Bay, Anne (James Jr.) Garvey of Appleton, Elizabeth (Frank Jr.) Garber of Broussard, Louisiana, sixteen grandchildren: Kyle, Kara Noelie, Kate, Patrick, Andrew, Patrick, Elizabeth, Sean, Sarah, Tricia, Ryan, Zachary, Emma Kate, Nicholas, Amelie and Alexander, four great grandchildren: Lukas, Jackson, Cody, and Alivia, a sister, Dr. Jane Ellen Carstens of Lafayette, Louisiana, her foreign exchange student Marianna Fantin of Italy, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Noelie was preceded in death by her parents, brother Charles Carstens, sisters Mary Oneillion, Carolyn Smith and Anna Carstens, and a son-in-law Jeff Fisher.

The funeral liturgy for Noelie will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH (1617 W. Pine St. Appleton) with Fr. Dennis Ryan officiating. A time of visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service.

We know you are in Heaven, laughing, singing, and dancing with the angels.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI
920-739-1231