Carol M. Tremel
May 3, 1952 — February 14, 2013
Carol Margaret Tremel was born on May 3, 1952 to Howard and Mary Ellen (Ryan) Finken in Harlan, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael�s Catholic Church in Harlan where she remained a life-long member. She attended St. Michael�s Catholic School and graduated with the Class of 1970 from Harlan Community High School.
Carol was united in marriage to Allen Tremel on November 21, 1970 at St. Michael�s and became a mother to Chad and Erin.
Carol was a natural care giver and people of all ages were drawn to her. In high school, she cared for the elderly at the Baptist Memorial Home in Harlan. Later, she had a successful career in child care at New Horizon in Harlan and in her own home daycare business. Dozens and dozens of children benefitted from Carol�s tender loving care.
Carol�s greatest joy was her family, her loving husband, devoted children and beautiful, talented grandchildren. Carol loved to read, talk on the phone, shop for shoes, bask in the sun and swim. As the middle child in a family of eleven, Carol was the family�s touchstone who had a deep love for her parents, siblings and their families. She loved hosting Christmas Eve for the family and carried on her mother�s traditions. She was the most loving, compassionate wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend anyone could ask for. She was a great listener and a talented conversationalist with a heart of gold.
In the face of adversity, Carol turned to her faith. She never wallowed in self-pity and was ever cheerful, even when physical pain slowed her.
Carol died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, February 14, 2013 having attained the age of sixty years, nine months, and eleven days. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert "Bob" Finken.
She is survived by her husband of forty-two years Allen Tremel of Harlan, Iowa; son Chad Tremel and his wife Kathy of Omaha, Nebraska; daughter Erin and her husband SFC Robert Putnam of Clifton Park, New York; four grandchildren: Kiley, Luke, Schyler, and Nevah; brothers and sisters: Linda and her husband Dave Shanahan of Omaha, James "Jim" Finken of Kansas City, Ellen and her husband Mark Greenway of Canby, Minnesota, Jeanne and her husband Brad Lyman of Springfield, Illinois, William "Bill" Finken and Deb of Davenport, Iowa, Richard "Rick" Finken and his wife Pam of Davenport, Patrick "Pat" Finken of Peoria, Illinois, John Finken and his wife Lori of Kansas City, and Nancy and her husband Tom Ernst of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sisters-in-law Karen and her husband Larry Gardner of Omaha and Joanie Steiner of Omaha; brother-in-law Gerald "Jerry" Tremel and his wife Janie of Dunlap, Iowa; cherished nieces, nephews, family members, and many, many friends.
Rev. John Frost celebrated the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at St. Michael�s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. Music was provided by John Rosman and Jan Rau. Serving as casket bearers were Rick Finken, John Finken, Bill Finken, Tom Ernst, Dan Ernst, and Dave Shanahan.
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Carol was united in marriage to Allen Tremel on November 21, 1970 at St. Michael�s and became a mother to Chad and Erin.
Carol was a natural care giver and people of all ages were drawn to her. In high school, she cared for the elderly at the Baptist Memorial Home in Harlan. Later, she had a successful career in child care at New Horizon in Harlan and in her own home daycare business. Dozens and dozens of children benefitted from Carol�s tender loving care.
Carol�s greatest joy was her family, her loving husband, devoted children and beautiful, talented grandchildren. Carol loved to read, talk on the phone, shop for shoes, bask in the sun and swim. As the middle child in a family of eleven, Carol was the family�s touchstone who had a deep love for her parents, siblings and their families. She loved hosting Christmas Eve for the family and carried on her mother�s traditions. She was the most loving, compassionate wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend anyone could ask for. She was a great listener and a talented conversationalist with a heart of gold.
In the face of adversity, Carol turned to her faith. She never wallowed in self-pity and was ever cheerful, even when physical pain slowed her.
Carol died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, February 14, 2013 having attained the age of sixty years, nine months, and eleven days. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert "Bob" Finken.
She is survived by her husband of forty-two years Allen Tremel of Harlan, Iowa; son Chad Tremel and his wife Kathy of Omaha, Nebraska; daughter Erin and her husband SFC Robert Putnam of Clifton Park, New York; four grandchildren: Kiley, Luke, Schyler, and Nevah; brothers and sisters: Linda and her husband Dave Shanahan of Omaha, James "Jim" Finken of Kansas City, Ellen and her husband Mark Greenway of Canby, Minnesota, Jeanne and her husband Brad Lyman of Springfield, Illinois, William "Bill" Finken and Deb of Davenport, Iowa, Richard "Rick" Finken and his wife Pam of Davenport, Patrick "Pat" Finken of Peoria, Illinois, John Finken and his wife Lori of Kansas City, and Nancy and her husband Tom Ernst of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sisters-in-law Karen and her husband Larry Gardner of Omaha and Joanie Steiner of Omaha; brother-in-law Gerald "Jerry" Tremel and his wife Janie of Dunlap, Iowa; cherished nieces, nephews, family members, and many, many friends.
Rev. John Frost celebrated the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at St. Michael�s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. Music was provided by John Rosman and Jan Rau. Serving as casket bearers were Rick Finken, John Finken, Bill Finken, Tom Ernst, Dan Ernst, and Dave Shanahan.
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