WELLS- Carol F. Ersing, 86, passed away peacefully April 8, 2025, at Avita Care Facility in Wells, ME, in
the presence of family and caring staff members.
She was born in Springfield, MA, on October 7, 1938, the daughter of Denny and Elsa (Larson)
Richter.
Carol was raised in a large family with ten brothers and two sisters. Growing up, she had a love
for animals and the outdoors. She had a pet rooster named “Colors” and loved to visit the goats
at her uncle’s farm. At the age of 15, she began picking shade tobacco in the Connecticut River
Valley in order to earn money for her passion for fashion. Her enthusiasm for looking "just so"
continued throughout her life and up to her final days at Avita.
Carol’s brother, Walter, was a salesman at the local lumber yard and set her up on a blind date
when she was 18 with a handsome young builder who frequented the yard. Carol knew a good
thing when she saw it and married the budding carpenter, Paul Ersing, and they began their
family soon after. Paul built houses in Wilbraham and East Longmeadow, MA, for their young
family.
Carol’s main interest was being a mother and homemaker, caring for her two children. She
shared her love for fishing, gardening, and crafting with them, and together, the family spent
summers at their camp on the lake in Sturbridge, MA.
In 1976, Paul and Carol moved to Ogunquit, ME, after purchasing the Town Lyne Motel. For
twenty years, they successfully ran the motel, with Carol looking impeccable at the front desk. In
Ogunquit, she was very involved with the Women’s Club, enjoyed square dancing, and sewed
many of her dance outfits herself.
After retiring from the motel business, they wintered at their home in Naples, FL, where Carol
enjoyed biking, the beach, and playing in a ladies' bocce league. Carol and Paul were married for
62 years before Paul lost his battle with cancer in 2020.
Carol is survived by her two children, their spouses, and three grandchildren:
• Diana Kelly and her husband, Dr. Ray Kelly, of York, ME, and their sons, Ryan and Sean
• Paul Ersing and his wife, Laurie Ersing, of Ogunquit, ME, and their son, Paul
• Carol is also survived by her sisters Doris Cole and Gail Fei, and her brother Ron Richter.
The family would like to thank the staff at Avita of Wells for the wonderful care given to Carol
for four and a half years as she battled dementia. The family also deeply appreciates the support
of Hospice of Southern Maine and Home Instead of Wells.
A private service will be held at a later date in Springfield, MA.
In support of Alzheimer's and in memory of Carol, memorial donations may be made to:
Avita Of Wells - Walk To End Alzheimer's
86 Sanford Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com