THURSDAY: Circuit Court judge candidate suffers aneurysm

Carol A. Conklin of Ladysmith, a candidate for Rusk County Circuit Court Judge who also operated a private law practice in the city, suffered an aneurysm Wednesday as she was leaving the Barron County Courthouse.

Danielle Schultz, Conklin's daughter, said her mother was rushed to the hospital in Barron and then airlifted for medical care in Rochester. Conklin was declared brain dead this morning by doctors, according to Schultz.

"It is hard," said Schultz. She added her mother remained on life support as she was an organ donor.

Conklin's mother also died as the result of an aneurysm at an early age, according to Schultz.

"We are happy for that it wasn't a drawn out thing," Schultz said.

Conklin, turned 51 in December. She and her husband of 23 years, Brian Conklin, have lived in Ladysmith since 2004.

Carol's oldest son, Paul, his wife, and their four daughters live in Kent, Washington. Carol's daughter, Danielle and her three children live in Ladysmith where the children attend Ladysmith Elementary School.

The Conklin's youngest son, Andrew, attends Ladysmith High School.

The most recent Conklin grandchild was born today.

Conklin filed to run for Rusk County Circuit Court Judge in the April 6 general election. Her opponent was to be Steve Anderson, currently an assistant district attorney for Rusk County ad corporation counsel for Taylor County.

Conklin had a private law practice, Conklin Law Office, in Ladysmith. She retired from the military after serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.

She received a law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minn., in 2004, when she also was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar Association.

Carol graduated from Lakenheath High School, Lakenheath A.F.B., England in 1974. She entered the United States Air Force in 1979 and retired in 1999. While in the military, Carol was awarded with a Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and 3 Air Force Achievement Medals.

During her military career, Carol obtained an Associate Degree in Logistics Management, in 1995, from the Community College of the Air Force. She then Graduated from Chapman University, Summa Cum Laude, in 1997 with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. After retiring from the Air Force, Carol was accepted into William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minn., in 2001, and graduated in 2004. After graduation, Carol and her family moved to Ladysmith and she opened Conklin Law Office.

Carol's hobbies include spending time with her family and their dog, Buddy, reading, baking, traveling, going to the movies, and watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers.

Follow the Ladysmith News for more of this developing story.