Carol Carlson

When reflecting on the life of Carol Carlson, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was always willing to go above and beyond to care for those around her. Nothing brought Carol greater joy than spending time with her loved ones, no matter how simple the moments. She faced challenges head-on with a fierce spirit of determination, and her primary focus in life was forming deep and personal relationships with others. Forever loved, Carol will be dearly missed by those who knew her best.

In the late 1940s, the United States of America was at last making the shift from a nation of war to a nation of peace after the turmoil of WWII. Rationing was no longer in place, and the baby boom was underway. It was during this exciting time that Michael and Lorraine Sieracki of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child. On October 15, 1948, their wait was over, and they welcomed their daughter, Carol, into the world.

Growing up, Carol was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home on O’Brien Road, Mt. Mercy Drive, and finally on Walker Road NW. Though she was an only child, Carol was very close to her cousins throughout her childhood. She loved spending time with them on vacations to the family cottage in Northern Michigan. From a young age, Carol nurtured a deep passion for animals, and she once found kittens and brought them home to care for them herself. She enjoyed playing at city parks, including Westwood City Playground, and with the other children in the neighborhood. Carol attended various schools growing up, including Mount Mercy School, Sacred Heart, Cummings Elementary, Grandville Middle School, and Union High School. Throughout her school years, she fell in love with dance, especially ballet and tap. Carol graduated from Union High School in 1966, ready to move on to bigger and better things.

All who knew Carol can certainly agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. In 1968, she married a man named John Schichtel. Together, Carol and John welcomed their son, John Michael, into their hearts in February of 1969. Though her marriage to John would end in divorce, she was always grateful for the son they shared. Carol truly thrived in her role of a mother, and she loved to care for John Michael and raise him into a kind and hardworking individual. Later in life, she was overjoyed to become a grandmother to Nick as well. Carol was very involved in Nick’s life, and she doted on him whenever she could. She never missed a sporting event or an opportunity to spend time with him. In 2002, Carol was devastated to lose her son to a battle with Leukemia.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Carol as she met a co-worker named Tim Carlson in 1996. There was an instant spark between them, and over the next two years, their relationship quickly blossomed into something truly special. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Carol and Tim were married in 1998. The newlyweds then settled down in Grand Rapids near Bristol and Bridge, where Carol first grew up. With her marriage to Tim, Carol’s family grew to include Tim’s children, Jason, Jamie, Beckie, Christina, Meredith, and Stephen, as well as several grandchildren. Carol would often host doggy playdates with her stepchildren where they would bring their dogs to her house. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren whenever she could. Carol always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Carol was never afraid to work hard when it came to providing for herself and those who depended on her. She first began working at Ron Brown Reality as a receptionist, and she went on to hold her own realtor’s license for a time. Later on, Carol worked in production at General Motors, where she met Tim. Following a back surgery, she left the workforce entirely in 2000, beginning her retirement years.

Never one to sit still for long, Carol pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her yard. Carol was an avid fan of the Beatles and was even able to see them twice, first in Chicago on their first tour and then in Detroit during their second year of tours. Her lifelong love for animals led to her caring for many dogs, birds, and cats over the years. Carol liked to go on road trips and spend time antique shopping. She was well known for her sense of humor and her resilience, which only grew stronger as she struggled with her health in later years.

As family and friends can surely attest, Carol Carlson truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Carol was a friend to many and beloved by all. She was a shining example of kindness and generosity, and her serving spirit allowed her to touch the hearts of countless others. Though she will be deeply missed, Carol leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Carol (Schichtel, Sieracki) Carlson, passed away with her family by her side on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. “Why she had to go I don’t know, she wouldn’t say.” “Some have gone and some remain.” Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Lorraine (Vredevoogd) Sieracki, and her son, John Michael Schichtel. Carol is survived by her loving husband, Tim Carlson, and grandson, Nick Schichtel, stepchildren, Jason (Emily) Carlson, Jamie Curtis, Beckie (Ruudy) Olupot, Christina (Benjamin) Kragt, Meredith Carlson and Stephen Carlson, as well as many step-grandchildren. “Come together, right now” for a service to remember Carol’s life. The service will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, April 8, 2024, not in “Strawberry Fields,” but at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 1933 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504. Carol’s family will “get by with a little help from their friends” (for a time of visitation) at the church from 11:00 am to the start of the service as they try to “take a sad song and make it better.” “All you need is love!” Memorials in Carol’s honor may be given to Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary. To read Carol’s life story, leave a memory or sign her guest book, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com