Carol Elizabeth Clousing, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in Florida.
She was born on January 26, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. She married Louis M. Clousing on May 20, 1949 in Chicago. They were residents of Chicago for 19 years before moving to a southern suburb, Palos Park. They later moved to Bethany Beach in Sawyer, Michigan in 1990. Their winter months have been enjoyed together for many years on Nettles Island in Jensen Beach, Florida.
Carol graduated from Chicago Christian High School in 1946. She was an active member of 2nd Christian Reformed Church in the Roseland Community until their family move to Palos Park, IL in 1968.
Carol enjoyed her family most of all. She was well known for her love of cooking and baking. Her family and friends have memories of many shared meals she had prepared. She always offered a cup of coffee and something to eat to anyone who crossed her threshold! In addition to her joy in the kitchen, she loved flowers. Carol loved to garden and always had colorful blossoms outside her door. She also created and operated a small business for many years, "Forestview Flowers," which she enjoyed so much. Her delight was the hours she worked with the silk flowers which she prepared for weddings, custom arrangements and craft shows. She loved to paint and she and Lou often worked together on special craft projects.
Carol's faith was important to her and she always looked forward to the services each Sunday on Nettles Island. She also prayed faithfully for her family, a characteristic that each generation has known.
She is survived by her husband Louis of 67 years; a daughter, Louann (Charles) Schlueter of Rockford, IL; three sons, James (Cindy) Clousing of Wheaton, IL, Jeff (Cathy) of Byron Center, MI, and Joel (Patti) Clousing of Wheaton, IL; fourteen grandchildren, Brad Clousing (Kate) of Wheaton, Jeff (Michelle) Clousing of Wheaton, Carrie (Matt) Stowell of Houston, TX., Breah (Mace) Ponce of Elmwood Park, IL, Breck (Heather) Schlueter of Rockford, IL, Brice (Leanne) Schlueter of Greenwood, IN, Elizabeth (Joe) Sonheim of Grand Rapids, MI, Rachel and Anna Clousing of Byron Center, MI, Kori (Bryan) Casper of Aurora, IL, Kole, Keisha, Kade and Kaleb Clousing of Wheaton, IL; nineteen great-grandchildren and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Rolena Farnham, a sister, Grace Brink and a grandson, Keenan Clousing.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 PM, Friday, March 17, 2017 at Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home Chapel and Stuart, FL and a memorial service will be held in Michigan at Harbert Community Church this spring.