Carol Lois Grausnick

ST CHARLES AND FORMERLY FROM HENDERSON, NVCarol Lois Grausnick, 72, of St. Charles and formerly from Henderson, NV, died at home in St. Charles on Saturday, July 5, 2014 after a short battle with cancer.Carol was born September 3, 1941 in St. Charles Township to Ervin Frederick and Leora Frieda (Kurth) Matzke and attended school in Lewiston and Altura. She was married to Kenny Smelser in November 1959 and had two daughters, Laurie and Penne. Kenny died at a young age, and Carol later married Robert Grausnick. They were blessed with a third daughter, Paula. In 1967, they moved to Denver while Robert continued his education and they raised their children. Carol and Robert were later divorced. Carol, who was determined to never be a farm girl, furthered her education in Portland, OR and earned a degree in accounting and business. In the late 1980s, Carol moved to Palm Springs, CA and began working as a fashion coordinator at Saks Fifth Avenue until her retirement in 2007.Always "fashionably late," Carol was a beautiful, sophisticated woman who carried herself with poise and elegance. She could be high-fashion but wasn't afraid to get her nails dirty. From plumbing to electrical to car repair, Carol could fix anything and was always educating herself. She enjoyed riding horses and cattle, spending time outdoors, and cooking. She is survived by her children, Laurie (John) Appleton of Temecula, CA, Penne (Greg) Carter of La Quinta, CA and Paula Grausnick of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Alexander (Jenna) Carter, Carachele (Joshua) Tyvan, Bethany Carter, Ciera Rose Carter, and Julia Marzorati; great-grandson, Charles Nehemiah Carter; siblings, Larry (Marilyn) Matzke of Las Vegas, NV, Marie (Rudie) Spitzer of St. Charles, Linda (Merle) Hagen of Pahrump, NV, Willard Matzke of St. Charles, Judy Sorensen of Henderson, NV, Janice (Glenn) Timmers of Rochester, Susan Matzke Biernat of Black Forest, CO, Edward Matzke of Henderson, NV, and Arlys (Jay) Scheinbaum of Henderson, NV; her beloved Maltese, Gigi; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Leora; brothers, Frederick Matzke and Curtis Matzke, both of Henderson, NV; and an infant sister, Betty Ann.A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in St. Charles led by Funeral Celebrant Jenny Hoff. Following the service, there will be a time of sharing memories and watching a video tribute made for Carol. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the funeral home following the service.Please share a memory of Carol with her family and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/506338