Caroline Elaine Tatge, 80, of Wells died Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. The Rev. Mary Iverson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is handling the arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com.

Caroline Elaine Tatge was born July 8, 1935, the daughter of Edward and Lydia (Patzoldt) Groskreutz in rural Waldorf. She graduated from Waldorf High School. Caroline was united in marriage to Elmer M. Tatge on April 28, 1954. Prior to Elmer’s death, the couple had been happily married for 59 years. To this union four children were born, Elaine, David, Dale and Carol. The couple loved to farm. Caroline liked to mow her lawn, garden, cook and bake. She loved listening to the radio, visiting with her friends and doing search a word puzzles. She also enjoyed playing cards and dancing. Caroline was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Caroline is survived by her four children, Elaine Grunzke, David (Christine) Tatge, Dale (Sandy) Tatge, all of Wells, and Carol (Ernie) Bera of Albert Lea; 12 grandchildren, Joshua Grunzke, Jennifer (Steve) Haakensen, Jessica Grunzke, Molly (Brian) Smith, Megan (Joel) Kruger, Marshall (Erin) Tatge, Daniel (Dana) Tatge, Dianna Tatge (fiancé, Bryant Dagestad), Lacie (Anthony) Miccio and Amanda, Rachel and Hailey Bera; three great-grandchildren, Kailee and Jaxon Smith and Ashtyn Kruger; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Elmer, in December 2012.