Carol A. Stenzel

WENONA — Carol Anne (Seibel) Stenzel, 80, of Wenona, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Friday, Dec. 14, at Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Normal.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at St. Mary’s Church in Wenona with Franciscan Friars officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, in the church. Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service Friday at the church. Hurst Funeral Home in Wenona is handling her arrangements.

Carol was born Feb. 9, 1938, in Streator, the daughter of Edward and Katherine (Taylor) Seibel. Carol was not able to meet her father due to his unexpected death, but she was blessed to be raised by her stepfather, Henry Gustafson, after her mom remarried in 1942.

On Feb. 1, 1958, Carol married her high school sweetheart, Charles Stenzel, in Rutland. They enjoyed eight years together before his death in 1966. While their years together were few, their love of each other and family was enormous.

Carol was a full-time mother and homemaker for 18 years, raising her children with a small side business of baking birthday and wedding cakes and her special cinnamon rolls. She later became  a smiling face to many students and faculty at Wenona and later Fieldcrest school district as office secretary. She was involved with Scholastic Bowl and retired from the school district in 2003.

Carol was a faithful servant of God and actively served her church as a CCD teacher, member of the Altar & Rosary Society, Cursillo 451 family and as Eucharistic minister. She accompanied St. Mary’s Singers mission trips to Kentucky as well as chaperoned a group to World Youth Day to see St. Pope John Paul II.

Carol loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her soft voice, big heart and strong faith were known by many.

She is survived by seven children, Anne (Jack) Newhalfen, of Wenona, Chuck (Joyce) Stenzel, of Arlington Heights, Dave (Sharon) Stenzel, of Marietta, Ga., Don (Janice) Stenzel, of Platte City, Mo., Patti Tyner (Tim Griffin), of Bloomington, Linda (Donnie) Regnier, of Wenona, and Marcia (Greg) Heaton, of Heyworth. She also is survived by her brothers, Ron (Rosie) Seibel and Dale (Jackie) Gustafson; brothers-in-law, George Peverly and Stan Konwinski; and sister-in-law, Elaine (Jim) Krischel. She was the loving grandmother to 19 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charlie; her daughter, Donna Marie; her parents, Edward, Katherine and Henry; and her beautiful sister, Jane Peverly.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Wenona St. Nick’s Workshop.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Grandview and Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Centers and Vitas Hospice for their loving care.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at hurstfuneralhomes.com.

Hurst Funeral Home

405 S. Oak St., Wenona, IL 61377

815-223-0380 hurstfuneralhomes.com