Carmen G. Byrnes

Carmen G. (Polzin) Byrnes, age 99 of La Crosse, WI passed away peacefully on Friday, April 3, 2026.

She was born September 26, 1926, in Eland, Wisconsin, to Edward and Elsie (Radies) Polzin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1948. Following graduation, Carmen worked at her parents’ resort, Polzinville, in St. Germain, Wisconsin (now known as Thunderbird Pass), where she enjoyed welcoming guests and spending time in the Northwoods she loved.

On June 9,1951, she was united in marriage to Thomas D. Byrnes. Carmen and Tom shared many happy years and lived in St. Germain, WI., Indianapolis and Greenwood, Indiana, and Pinellas Park, Florida, before retiring to Eagle River, Wisconsin in 1984. In 2005, Carmen and Tom moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she remained close to family and friends. Carmen had a lifelong love of the Green Bay Packers, gardening, and knitting. She continued knitting well into her 90s and was especially known for the Christmas stockings she lovingly made for her family—more than twenty in total, including stockings for the family pets.

Carmen is survived by her son, Timothy (Cindy) Byrnes of Morrow, OH., daughter, Colleen (Mark) Degenhardt of La Crosse, WI.; grandchildren, Christina (David) Sawyer of Atlanta, GA., Michael (Nicole) Byrnes of Madeira, OH., Mitchell Degenhardt of La Crosse, WI., Matthew Degenhardt of Bozeman, MT., and Megan Degenhardt of Missoula, MT.; great grandchildren, Bijou, Bain, and Beau Byrnes. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Tom in 2005.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will take place at Eagle River Cemetery in Eagle River, WI, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband and parents.

Carmen will be remembered for her kindness, devotion to family, and the warmth she brought to those around her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Gundersen Health System Hospice program.

Carmen’s family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Riverside Transitional Memory Care and Gundersen Hospice.