Carol A. Schmidt

Carol A. Bowers Schmidt, 72, of Belvidere, passed away on September 26, 2016. She was born in Chicago on April 16, 1944; the daughter of Leo and Dorothy (Parks) Wesselhoff. She grew up in Wauconda with her two brothers Thomas (Tom) Wesselhoff and William (Bill) Wesselhoff. She spent her youth enjoying Bangs Lake; swimming, fishing, ice skating. Her cousins from Chicago often joined in the fun to make many memories with Carol, Tom and Bill. She graduated Wauconda High School in 1962. Her life blossomed when she married William (Bill) Bowers in 1965. They had a wonderful fifteen years of marriage until his untimely death in 1980. Together they had two children: daughter; Kristine (Bowers) Huff and son; Michael Bowers. During this time, Carol also worked as an Executive Secretary for Uarco in Barrington. When she was suddenly widowed, her two children became her whole world. That was chapter one of Carol’s book of life.

It seems that many chapters followed that were full of stress, but she was always able to push past problems for the love of her two children. She went on to make South Elgin her home for many years. There she made many wonderful friendships. She also loved playing Bingo at the VFW Post 1307, where she became an active member. She met and married Robert Schmidt of South Elgin. After his death, she went on to the next chapter of life and became an Executive Secretary at Reishauer, Inc. … working there until her retirement. She chose to spend her next years in Belvidere to be closer to her beloved grandson, Easton Huff. She joined the VFW Post 1462 there, where she again made strong friendships and enjoyed playing Bingo. She filled her days of leisure with the love of family and friends. She enjoyed the peace of a good book, while her two purring kittens sat upon her lap. Baking was a great therapy for her, with Easton always by her side. She could never resist a piece of cake, brownies or a few cookies… to have with her cup of coffee. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.
The many chapters of Carol’s life were often compiled with more problems than anyone should have to bear, but Carol never let life get her down. She was always content and grateful for each day. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She kept her wonderful sense of humor and good nature all the way to the end. She had an uncanny knack of being able to make you smile, no matter what she might be dealing with. As always… the bright light that got her through every trial was the love of her family. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Her love will go on through her family.

She is survived by her two children: Son; Michel Bowers, and Daughter; Kristine (Patrick) Huff and by her most dearly loved Grandson Easton Huff. She is also survived by her younger brother William Wesselhoff and by her older brother: Thomas (Barbara) Wesselhoff. Carol was an Aunt to her brother Tom’s four children. (3 nephews) Scott, (Elizabeth) Wesselhoff; Rick, (Laura) Wesselhoff; Robin (Rebecca) Wesselhoff ; and (1 niece) Tammi (Joe) Wesselhoff Sulejmani. Carol was a great Aunt to 10 Wesselhoff children (Leandra, Luke, Ryan, Brookelynn, Andrew, Caleb, Katelyn, Alexa, Corynne, Ethan) and to two Sulejmani children (Nolan and Avery) . Carol is also survived by her sister-in-law: Carol (Bowers) Mikulay and husband Stephen Jr.; and she was Aunt to Carol and Stephen’s two children (niece)Morgan Mikulay and (nephew)Stephen Mikulay 3rd. Carol is also survived by two Best Friends; Linda De La Cruz and Fay Wenzel. She is pre-deceased by her parents; Leo and Dorothy Wesselhoff , William (Bill) Bowers, Robert A. Schmidt, and Granddaughter Kaeli Huff.

A memorial service to celebrate Carol’s life will be held on October 8, 2016 At Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at10:00 AM until time of service. Luncheon follows at 1:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Inurnment is private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are appreciated.