She was born October 20, 1936 in Chicago Heights to Erwin and Helen (Blume) Klemp. On May 3, 1959 she married Aaron Block.
Carol was a dedicated Registered Nurse and served 60 years at Centegra. Carol was devoted to her career and received her RN and MSN degrees. She was accredited in CPHRM (Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management) and CIC (Certified Infection Control Nurse). She was also a member of APIC (Association of Professional Infection Control) and ANA (American Nurse Association).
She lived her life to help others. Education was very important to her and she dedicated her life to nursing and its affiliations. Carol had a very giving spirit and throughout the years supported the Carol Block Scholarship for continuing education in nursing through Centegra, the Centegra Foundation, and she gave the ultimate gift as a tissue and bone donor to Gift of Hope.
She gave her time generously at her church and showed her love of music through the choir and bells, as well as participating in the Boar’s Head Festival. For years she also delivered service tapes and CDs to shut-in church members in the community, as well as baking cookie platters for them at Christmas.
She is survived by children, Lynn (Daryl) Becker, Paul Block, Suzanne (Tim) Gallagher, Karl Block; her grandchildren, Leah (Aaron) Astley, Chris (Kinga) Becker, Cory (Dorota) Becker, Stacy (Dylan) Schmidt, Stephanie (Daniel Banzhaf) Gallagher, Michael (Monica) Gallagher; her great-grandchildren, Hannah, Rachel, Olivia, Sebastian, Adrian, Tristian, Savannah Belle; her siblings, Lois (Wayne) Muelich, Rhoda (Roger) Sandidge, Jason Klemp; and her sister-in-law, Luann Kirchoff.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron; her parents; and her brother, Eldon Klemp.
There will be a visitation from 4 to 8pm on Thursday, November 8 at Zion Lutheran Church, 412 Jackson St., Marengo. Visitation will continue from 10am to the 11am funeral service on Friday, November 9 at the church.
Inurnment will be in Marengo City Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Carol’s life may be made to Concordia River Forest, 7400 Augusta, River Forest, IL 60305 to train church and school music directors (please add Carol Block Memorial to the memo line) or to Centegra Foundation, 385 Millennium Drive, Crystal Lake, IL 60012 for continuing education in nursing (please add to the memo line).
Arrangements entrusted to Marengo-Union Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.marengo-unionfuneralhome.com.
