Carol A. Wagener

Carol Ann Wagener, age 88, of Geneva, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

She was born on April 20, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois to Francis and Gertrude Woerly.

Carol was born in Chicago and grew up in Villa Park until her family moved to Omaha, Nebraska for 2 years.  They then moved back for her final 2 years of high school and graduated from York High School. After graduation, she began working at Commonwealth Edison while proudly attending DePaul University at night. She worked her way up at Edison from the steno pool to the administrative assistant to the Vice President where she worked until quitting to focus on raising her family.  After a familial leave from the professional world, she resumed work as a paralegal for over 30 years and only retired 2 years ago due to the passing of her boss.

In 1963, she married the love of her life Richard, where their primary focus became their family as they welcomed their daughter Mary Ann in 1967. They built a home in Winfield, IL where they resided for over 30 years. That time was filled with countless home improvement projects, wonderful summer road trips visiting 40 of the 50 states (and cooking at each stop), hosting family gatherings/get togethers, and attending a plethora of softball games along the way. When Carol and her sister, Jean, both sadly lost their husbands, they moved west to Geneva, IL where they bought a townhome together. Here they met many new friends, enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and line dancing every week. 

Carol had a special love for travel. She and Richard looked forward to planning trips each year and visited too many places to mention! After their husbands’ passing, she and Jean spent countless years traveling the world and making more special memories together. Carol loved to invite family to her home and always had a fresh meal waiting in the oven upon arrival. Many holidays were spent gathered around the dining room table telling stories and creating fond memories together. Carol was fiercely independent, very active and young at heart until the very end.

Carol is survived by her daughter Mary Ann Campagna of St. Charles; grandchildren Sara, Chelsea and Jacob; loving sister Jean Schude; niece Kathie Schude; many nieces and nephews on Richard’s side; great niece and nephews Amanda, Brandon and Cameron; fond son-in-law Tony Campagna (Jen) and loved dog Sam.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her loving husband Richard, fond brother-in-law Ralph Schude and nephew Thomas Schude.  

Services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Anderson Animal Shelter https://ahconnects.org 1000 S La Fox St, South Elgin, IL 60177, would be greatly appreciated.

For more information, please call 630-232-8233 or visit www.malonefh.com.

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