Carol Warkel

Carol Warkel, 73, of Hanover Park, IL, passed away on April 7, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in the fall of 1951, to Geraldine and Richard . Growing up in the Logan Square neighborhood, Carol would meet the eventual love of her life, Dave, with whom she spent 55 wonderful years of marriage.  She attended Tuley High School where she was part of the Drum and Bugle Corps.  Back on the bluff, with her grandfather, Bud, in her family hometown of Trempealeau, WI, she loved spending many summers fishing with him on the Mississippi and visiting with family.

Carol and Dave married and began raising their two sons, Nathan (Julie) and Jacob (Mary) in Harwood Heights and shortly thereafter moved to Streamwood where they stayed until after the boys graduated from high school.  Together, they built a life rooted in unconditional love, support, and mutual respect—a partnership that inspired all who knew them.  She volunteered for just about everything at her sons’ school as well as coached their junior bowling league.  Carol took to working in the elementary school lunch program, eventually becoming the Food Service Lead until she retired.

It is easier to list what Carol didn’t or couldn’t do than what she could or would.  Her hobbies and talents were far ranging and showered upon those in her life:  Crafting, sewing, crocheting, upholstery, interior design, costuming, handywoman, seamstress, hairdresser, sports, camping, gardening, fishing, and bowling.   She had even taken up wood carving in the past few years.  The world will not be the same without her wonderful and creative heart felt gifts made possible by her many talents.  Carol’s gifts for her loved ones provided joy, comfort, and aid to those who received them.   She had a love for giraffes and probably the largest collection of them in Illinois.  In recent years, she was an active member building the community of veterans at the VFW and volunteering her time to efforts supporting current troops.

Carol was a loving, selfless, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  She is survived by her devoted husband, Dave; her loving sister, Barbara Liberman; her two sons, Nathan and Jacob; her niece Kymm, and her five grandchildren, Katie, Payton , Zane, Breanne, and Ryne.  She was preceded in death by her grandfather , Bud, and her mother Geraldine, whom she now joins in eternal peace.