Carl Stefan

Carl Stefan, 93 of Arlington Heights passed away June 22, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was born in the small Germanic town of Cervenka, Yugoslavia on January 10, 1923 to Jacob and Rosalia (nee Martin) Stefan and lived there happily with his family until the age of 14. He left his hometown to learn the furrier trade from his mother’s cousin in Vinkovski, Yugoslavia, 200 miles away. In 1940, during World War II, Carl went to live in Vienna, Austria to gain more experience in his trade. Following the War, Carl sought refuge in Bratislava and, with his proficiency in five languages, successfully posed as a Russian merchant sailor on a barge traveling up and down the Danube River. It was along this journey that he reunited his family after three years of inquiring at each port. After reuniting his family, they lived three years in Villach, Austria, where Carl worked as a furrier. They all longed to return back to Cervenka, though it could not be realized while still under communist rule. Instead, the family looked westward and began filing immigration requests, writing to his father’s brother, Joseph, in the United States. It was Joseph and others who subsequently coordinated their sponsorship. Carl came with his parents and brother William to America in 1950 by boat. They lived and worked in Francesville, Indiana until Carl was fortunate enough to find a furrier position in downtown Chicago, which allowed Carl to repay his family’s sponsorship. Carl’s work was renowned amongst retailers in Chicago and was frequently praised for his high-quality craftsmanship and skilled trade. While in Chicago, he attended night school to learn English, where he met his bride-to-be Eva. They married in 1952 and raised three children. In retirement, Carl and Eva enjoyed more than 25 winter seasons in Venice, Florida. More recently, the two resided year round at Luther Village in Arlington Heights, Illinois where they enjoyed their final years. Carl was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and enjoyed their warm company by making plenty of time to celebrate life’s joys with them. Valuing deep connections with family and friends, Carl also helped organize the Stefan family reunion that meets each year. During his spare time he cherished his garden, practicing his talent for raising the biggest vegetables using his knowledge of his family’s old country techniques. Carl and Eva also enjoyed participating in social groups, finding great friendships in the Donauschwaben Gruppe, a German cultural club. It was there that Carl and Eva found community with those who shared similar experiences from during and after the War. Throughout his life, Carl found great solace and strength in his faith, and took comfort in regularly attending church with Eva on Sundays. He attributed his successes to the grace of God and could often be heard voicing His praises, saying “the Lord was good to me.” With a positive outlook on life and a good joke in hand, his laughter was known to all and regularly coupled with one of his favorite sayings, “what’s life without a little fun.” Carl was loved and respected by those who knew him and will be very dearly missed. Carl was the beloved husband of the late Eva; loving father of Susan (Andy) Danilovich, Linda (Brian) Petzel and Albert (late Wendy) Stefan; cherished grandfather of Michael (Margaret) Danilovich, Kristi (Scott) Bruns, Steven (Mary Jo) Petzel, Dana (Steve) Slivka, Jacob Stefan, Kurtis Stefan and the late Scott Danilovich; great-grandfather of Kobe, Kooper and Summer Bruns, Mason and Steven Petzel and Sydney Slivka and dear brother of the late Jacob (Late Rosalia) Stefan, Zita (late Christian) Oswald, Joseph (late Lea) Stefan and William (late Hilda) Stefan. Visitation will be Sunday, June 26, 2016 from 3-8 PM at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights and Monday, June 27 from 10 :00 AM until time of funeral service 11:00 AM at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive Street, Arlington Heights. Entombment will at Memory Gardens Cemetery.