Carol M. Marzahl, 83, of Delavan, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Jan. 6, 2024, at Golden Years, Lake Geneva, near her devoted husband of 66 years, Marvin.
Carol was born July 5, 1940, in Zion, Illinois, to Charles and Helen (Bergstedt) Friedel. She asked Marvin to be her escort to the sophomore prom, and they never stopped dancing together. They married on Sept. 21, 1957.
Carol always put family first, through thick and thin, and raised five children while helping Marvin on the farm and working for many years as a cashier and customer service manager. Carol knit the family together with steady correspondence, annual family gatherings for her birthday, and her irreplaceable holiday baking.
In retirement, she and Marv tended to their beautiful country home and garden. She was proud of her flowerbeds, fond of cardinals, and had a soft spot for barn cats. She researched genealogy; took memorable vacations, from the Smoky Mountains to Scandinavia; and especially enjoyed the camaraderie of dancing to the music of her younger days with new friends. Most of all, she loved visits with her beloved grandchildren all around the country.
Carol is survived by the love of her life, Marvin; her sons, Scott (Kathleen) of Issaquah, Washington, Curt of Belmont, Kevin of Bloomington, Indiana; daughters, Kathy Mortenson of Scottsdale, Arizona; Stephanie (Corey) Schoenrock of Woodbury, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ronald and Richard Friedel; sister, Susan Obenauf; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen, and her brother, Dennis.
In keeping with Carol’s wishes, there will be no funeral. The family will host a private celebration of life in the coming month. Carol touched more people than she knew with her kindness, and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Delavan’s Aram Public Library Foundation in her memory (www.aramlibrary.org/site/capital-campaign).
The family would like to thank the caregivers at DaVita Dialysis, Holton Manor, Lakeland Hospital, St. Luke’s Neuro ICU, VIP Transportation, and especially the amazing staff at Golden Years of Lake Geneva and Aurora Hospice for their professionalism and compassion. The family is particularly grateful for Dr. Laura Rosol’s work behind the scenes to ensure that Carol was able to be close to Marvin at the end.
The family is being assisted by Haase-Lockwood Funeral Home Services. For online condolences, www.haaselockwoodfhs.com
