Madeline Kartel

Madeline L. Kartel(nee Freeman), 77, of South Elgin, originally of Brooklyn, NY passed away August 24. A buddy to all the neighborhood kids, she loved bingo, gardening, and slots. Madeline was born in Canarsie, a small community in Brooklyn, NY. She was the only child to Madeline and Ralph. Their small family grew as her parents helped raise a few of her cousins. She grew up with most of her family who all stayed extremely close living on the same block of East 95th Street. Madeline and Bill met in Canarsie in 1955 and were married on March 3, 1956 and had two children Susan and Ralph. She always made her children come first as they got older and was always there for them from doing homework to being in the street playing ball. She loved all children and would help the neighbor's children read. She also felt that there were no bad kids, she would sit and talk with troubled kids hoping to make a difference. She was given the nickname "Mama Kartel" by the neighborhood kids. She always instilled strong Christian beliefs to her children and grandchildren. She mandated that we should always treat everyone kindly and fairly and work hard at whatever we chose to do and always help those in need. Madeline took the best care any wife, mother, and grandmother ever could of her family. She is loved by all those that knew her. Her family hasn't lived here very long, but Mama Kartel, now referred to as Grandma, will be missed by old and new friends as well as her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Beloved wife of William; loving mother of Susan(John) Long and Ralph(Susan); dear grandma of Brian(Megan) Kregler, Jennifer Keller, Diana Crews, Carlene and Ralph Kartel; proud great grandma of William, Nicholas, Breauklin, Jordan, and Madison. Visitation Wednesday August 26 from 3:00pm until time of service 7:00pm at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 95 S. Gilbert St.(at State St.), South Elgin. Following services cremation private at Countryside Crematory. Interment at a later date at Canarsie Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. Info (847)289-8054 or www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com.