Carol Margaret (Richter) Lemon, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and lifelong Washington Islander, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, adventure, and an extraordinary life well lived. Carol was born on December 12, 1941, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to Arni and Mary Richter. She was raised on Washington Island alongside her three sisters, Adele McClaren, Estelle Richter, and MaryJo Purinton. Carol often spoke of her childhood on the island with her sisters as something truly remarkable-a childhood filled with family, adventure, and the unique experiences that come from growing up in a close-knit island community. She attended Washington Island Grade School. While in the 8th grade, she teamed with Diane Stelter and they were nighttime janitors at the school. Carol graduated from Washington Island High School in 1957. She went on to attend Lindenwood College for Women in St. Charles, Missouri, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She furthered attended the Medical School of Milwaukee, becoming a Registered Medical Lab Technician. It was during this time that she met her first husband, a Navy serviceman. Their life together took them to Virginia, where they welcomed four children, before being stationed in San Diego in 1970. Carol worked at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Diego while raising her children in Santee. There, she would meet her second husband, Bob Lemon. Together, Carol and Bob owned and operated four construction companies, building a life through hard work, determination, and their entrepreneurial spirit. Tragically, Bob died in an accident in 1981. Carol remained in San Diego, raising her children and continuing to build a life for her family. But the pull of Washington Island-and the place she had always considered home-never left her heart. In 1987, Carol returned to Washington Island and began what would become one of the most beloved chapters of her life. She ran the Northport Pier Restaurant for nearly 20 years, becoming a familiar and cherished face to generations of islanders and visitors. She was there nearly every day, greeting travelers from around the world with her beautiful smile, warm hospitality, and genuine love for people. At Northport Pier, Carol mastered her craft. She loved creating incredible food, providing wonderful service, and making people feel welcome in a beautiful place. For countless visitors, a meal at the Northport Pier Restaurant-and a conversation with Carol-became part of their Washington Island experience. After her years at Northport, Carol continued doing what she loved. She returned to work in the kitchen at KK Fiske, where she spent years sharing her talents and her love of cooking and hospitality with the island community. But perhaps Carol's greatest gift was her ability to make life an adventure. She loved entertaining friends, traveling, discovering new experiences, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and simply being surrounded by the people she loved. She had a tremendous curiosity about the world and a remarkable ability to find joy wherever life took her. Carol held a particularly deep love and appreciation for Mexico, where she spent considerable time. She built lifelong friendships there and cherished the many experiences, stories, and memories she brought home with her. Mexico became another special place that held a piece of her heart. Carol was fiercely independent, adventurous, funny, compassionate, devoted, and generous with her love. She worked hard, played hard, and loved deeply. She lived life on her own terms and left an impression on nearly everyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Washington Island was not simply where Carol was born and raised-it was home. It was woven into who she was. And after a life that took her across the country and introduced her to countless people and places, she returned to the island she loved and made her mark on the community she called home. Carol was preceded in death by her grandparents, Carl and Margaret Richter; her parents, Arni and Mary Richter; her sisters, Adele McClaren and Estelle Richter; her husband, Bob Lemon; and her son, Arni Lemon. She is survived by her sister, MaryJo Purinton; her daughters, Brenda Franco, Trish Valdez, and Kimberly Toro; her grandchildren, Crystal Arps, Carol Schwegel, Chelsea Dodd, Connor Toro, and Colton Valdez; as well as many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends who became family along the way. Carol leaves behind much more than memories. She leaves behind stories, traditions, friendships, recipes, laughter, and the imprint of a life lived boldly and wholeheartedly. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered. And for those who knew Carol best, it is easy to imagine her exactly where she belongs-on Washington Island, smiling that beautiful smile, welcoming everyone home, and reminding us all to live a little harder, laugh a little louder, love a little deeper, and never stop seeking the next adventure. The funeral service for Carol will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, 1763 Town Line Rd, Washington Island. A visitation for family and friends will be at the church from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC in Sister Bay is assisting the Lemon family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Carol may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.