Stacy Elizabeth O’Carroll, of Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, to Rudy and Jane (DePas) Cardin.

Stacy married her best friend and the love of her life, Ormonde Tarion Steinle-O’Carroll, and together they spent 30 years living life’s greatest adventures side by side. To know Stacy was to know someone who embraced life fully. She was an adventurer, an athlete, and an extraordinary lover of the outdoors.

Stacy was a Class 5 whitewater rafting expert, and an avid kayaker. In her younger years, she was a gymnast, and a member of the Dive Team, and that same strength, grace, and determination followed her throughout her life. Tarion described Stacy on the river as “a spider on top of the water”—gracefully moving through the rapids, determined and always in the lead.

But perhaps Stacy’s greatest adventure began when she became a mother.

When she became pregnant with her son, Sam, Stacy left her career and devoted herself completely to raising her children, Sam and Maggie. She homeschooled them and filled their childhoods with learning, exploration, and adventure. Stacy wanted her children to experience every ounce of life and knowledge she could share with them—even if that meant taking them on adventures as unexpected as a trip to the FedEx warehouse.

An avid reader, Stacy, read hundreds of books to her children. Few things brought her more happiness than having her kids tucked beside her while she read aloud. She introduced them to the great classics and, through those stories, shared not only books but imagination, curiosity, and a love of learning.

Stacy was creative, intelligent, and endlessly curious. She loved drawing floor plans and imagining new ways to redesign houses. She was a lover of life and lived simply, placing little importance on worldly possessions. Among the few things she treasured most were her custom-carved wooden kayak paddle and her guitar—two things she lovingly passed on to her two greatest loves, her children.

She was tough. She was resilient. In 2020, Stacy was diagnosed with breast cancer and was given an estimated two years to live. True to the woman she had always been, Stacy fought. She persevered and lived for six more years, filling those years with love, laughter, family, and life.

Stacy loved the simple joys of being alive — sitting outside in the sunshine, going for walks, playing her guitar, and singing beautifully. She was funny, welcoming, kind, and easy to be around. She had a way of making people feel comfortable and accepted. She always greeted Tarion at the door with a smile and loved him unconditionally.

Most of all, Stacy was a mom her children could tell anything to. She created a relationship with Sam and Maggie built on trust, love, curiosity, and acceptance. She gave them not only her time, but her whole heart.

Stacy was beautiful, inside and out. She lived courageously, loved deeply, and found adventure wherever life took her. Her legacy will live on in the people she loved the lessons she taught, the stories she shared, and especially in the two children who were the center of her world.

Stacy is survived by her parents, Rudy and Jane Cardin; her husband, Tarion; her children, Sam (special friend Mercedes Dingfelder) and Maggie; her brother and best friend, Tony (Rachel) Cardin; nephew, Max; cousin and special friend, Mackenzie Smith; as well as many special friends, including many who had remained close to Stacy since high school.

Stacy’s family would like to thank the many people who loved and supported her throughout her life and during her courageous journey with cancer.

A celebration of Stacy’s life will take place from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm on October 17, 2026, at the Rising Star Mill, 3190 County Highway Q, Nelsonville, WI 54458. Please dress casual.

Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. Words of remembrance may be shared at MWCS.WS.