Carol Grebe

Carol June Grebe age 96 of Mackinaw City passed away at the Birches at Perry Farm Village in Harbor Springs with family near her side on August 8, 2024.

She was born to Everett and Ruth (Lamborn) Ostrus June 10, 1928 in Wiota Iowa. Carol grew up surrounded by family farms and attended the nearby the one room Norway Center Country School with brothers Curtis and Ron. She graduated from Wiota High School and earned Bachelor of Science and Registered Nurse degrees from Drake University and Iowa Methodist Hospital. She met Kurt Grebe, a handsome young medical student in a class and the two quickly realized they had found love and a lifelong partnership. They were married in June of 1952 . Carol supported them working as a nurse and teacher of nursing while Kurt completed his degree in Des Moines and residency in Saginaw. Their first two children, Marsha and Fritz, were born during this time, and as Kurt began his medical practice Carol became a full time parent as twins Suzanne and John, Elizabeth, and Ruth joined the family. Faith was a priority and the family attended Messiah Lutheran Church. Carol was an incredibly loving and supportive wife and mother who blended high expectations with a warm, nurturing, patient, and understanding approach to family life. Once the children were grown she again worked with nursing students, and assisted in Kurt’s practice. Upon retirement Kurt and Carol relocated to the family farm in Mackinaw City and became active in the Mackinaw Area Historical Society, helping develop the Heritage Village at Mackinaw with special interest in the Pestilence House, where they could be found in costume sharing tales of historic medical practices. Carol enjoyed gardening, walks in the fields and forests, playing the piano, and reading to children and grandchildren. They were active members of Cheboygan St. Thomas Lutheran Church, helping with the Food Bank. Travels to Germany visiting relatives, touring Europe, Hawaii, cruises to Alaska and Fiji, and time spent with beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were priorities. New Year’s Eve family dinners at Audie’s followed by a bonfire in the woods was a favorite tradition. Kurt and Carol were married over sixty years and were as deeply devoted and in love at the time of Kurt’s passing  in 2013 as they had been throughout their marriage. Carol carried on helping at Heritage Village and the Food Bank for a number of years. She enjoyed attending Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City and entertained the stream of family who routinely showed up at the family farm. Support from Darold, Bev, Stephanie, Mike, and Steve helped her stay at the farm for as long as possible. The staff at The Birches in Harbor Springs provided a kind and caring environment for her final days along with support from Compassus.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, husband Kurt Grebe, son Fritz Grebe, grandson Phillip Grebe, brothers Curtis and Ronald (Beulah) Ostrus, sisters-in-law Wilhelmine Schneider and Pauline Barthelmy, brothers-in-law Arthur Schneider and John Myers.

She is survived by children Marsha (Terry) Lambert, John (Jacqueline) Grebe, Suzanne (Stuart) Jonas, Elizabeth (Steve) Gwizdala, Ruth (Michael) Ferguson, sisters-in-law Katherine ((Larry) Eichinger and Beulah Ostrus, grandchildren Meghan and Kurt Grebe, Keija  (Jon) VanderSlik, Channa (Jeff) Sweet, Erin (Michael) Wilson, Elizabeth (Ryan) McNicholas, Emily (Chris) Putnam, Teresa Gwizdala, Michael (Zoe) Ferguson, Dakota Ferguson, and great grandchildren Connor, Corbin, Caitlyn, Kailey, Keagan, Josiah, Eva Eliana, Emmanuella, Cooper, Ethan, Kennedy, Rylie June, Connor, Annabelle, Clayton, Robert, and many special nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City on Wednesday, August 14th with visitation at 10:00 and the service at 11:00.

Memorials may be made to The Mackinaw Area Historical Society, Church of the Straits, or the charity of your choice.

Beck Funeral Home provided services to the family

Online condolences may be addressed through www.beckfuneralhome.org