Carol Edna Rakowski

Carol Edna (Stebbins) Rakowski, born September 1, 1936 to Lyle and Rena (Buckland) Stebbins. She had three brothers and one sister; her brother Billy died when she was very young in a terrible accident. She took great care of her younger sister, Barbara Ann, who had Cerebral Palsy from birth and she died at the tender age of sixteen. She had two older brothers, Robert Stebbins and Richard Stebbins who are both deceased. Carol attended Mishawaka High School and also attended Indiana University for one year in business. She also had a natural talent to cut and style hair. After high school she met the love of her life, “Albert” and they were both married at Holy Cross Catholic Church on October 17, 1959. They both had three beautiful children, a son, “Bradley”, the oldest daughter “Barbara Ann” and the youngest daughter, “Holly”. The youngest daughter was a great surprise later in life. She was born during the Christmas season, she brought great joy to the whole family so we named her “Holly”. Mom loved and cherished her whole family but especially loved her five grandchildren, “Andrea”, “Brittney”, “Amber”, “A.J.” and “Josh”.

Mom enjoyed going to our cottage in the summer, where family and friends would gather to play, eat, relax and have fun.

 Mom loved all of her friends and neighbors. She treated everyone with love, a smile and a cup of coffee. She often would think of her friends as her family.

 Mom came from a family who loved Jesus with all of their hearts. She accepted “Christ” at a very early age. We are confident that she is with Jesus and her family in Heaven, and now finally at peace!  

A graveside service for Carol will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 21, 2022 with her son Rev. Bradley Rakowski officiating at Riverview Cemetery in South Bend, Indiana. There will be no services at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Joseph County Boys and Girls Club, 502 E. Sample St., South Bend, IN 46601. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com.

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