Carol Helen Luken

On July 25, 2021, Carol Helen Luken (nee Ziehl) passed away. She was the beloved wife of Norbert J. Luken; devoted mother of Barbara A. Luken-Kraft, and her husband David A., Christopher J. Luken, Mark J. Luken, Patricia M. Luken-Stroh, and her husband Douglas W., Scott M. Luken, and the late Richard N. Luken; sister of Michael N. Ziehl; loving grandmother of Rebecca E. Kraft-Knopp, Jessica A. Kraft-Ramsel, and her husband Kyle L., Zachary A. Kraft, and his wife Olivia M., Joshua D. Stroh, Nora J. Stroh; cherished great grandmother of Eleanor A. Ramsel, and Colton L. Ramsel.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., 9705 Belair RD, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at St. Joseph Church, Fullerton, 8420 Belair RD, Nottingham, MD 21236 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Moreland Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Carol’s name to the St. Jude Children Research Hospital, ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or www.stjude.org, or Special Olympics Maryland, 3701 Commerce Drive, Suite 103, Baltimore, Maryland 21227, or www.somd.org

Condolences may be left for the family at www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com

Not To Cry A Poem to Mom,

You sure have had a full and eventful life, Being our mom, our memaw and a wife.

You loved, you laughed and had some fun, Always liking to be out in the sun.

You partied and played as a young girl, Even giving dancing on tables a whirl.

You were an honest and true sorority sister, You gals probably even played the game of twister!

One day Carol we knew you would die. We knew you’d tell us not to cry.

Raising five kids, you could never be bored, Sometime we bet, you felt it was a chore.

School, sports and scouts, you managed it all, Even taking the time to throw us a ball.

You’d make us help with the cleaning and yard work, We’re not sure what kept you from going beserk.

You liked to travel, relax and get away, Taking a break from five kids, you’d quickly say hurray.

One day Mom we knew you would die. We knew you’d tell us not to cry.

Cleaning, yard work, a veggie garden and some canning, The chores of the household were forever expanding.

There were plenty of fun filled vacations to Ocean City, Plus maintaining a condo kept you active and busy.

Graduations, award banquets and Eagle ceremonies, Raising us five kids, was a lot of work and that’s no bologna.

One day Momma we knew you would die. We knew you’d tell us not to cry.

For a couple years you had a little tiny break, Nothing to do with kids just housework & a yard to rake.

You then became a grandma at age forty-nine, In holding each new grandbaby your eyes would shine.

Watching the grandkids in sports, scouts and plays, kept you busy and filled up your weekends and days.

Trips and travel with the grandkids was always a lot of fun. Especially when you got to play in the surf and the sun.

One day Memaw we knew you would die. We knew you’d tell us not to cry.

A 66’ Chevelle then a 71’ Nova, both cars were a Chevy, They became a love of yours , so glad your foot was heavy!

Top Dragster Award -Luken Auto – For Team Pit Crew, You and the team, making sure there was never a miscue.

The city paper in 2013 featured “our” Drag Racing Granny, It was cool to have a Grandma, that raced, since there aren’t that many.

One day “Gator” we knew you would die. We knew you’d tell us not to cry.

Your brain started slipping about seven years ago, We didn’t know, at the time, how soon you could go.

You took it in stride without to much of a fuss. But dementia unfortunatley has robbed you from us.

It’s been hard to watch your decline and struggle. But we knew sometimes it helped you just to snuggle.

We’ve hated that you have been so lost and so scared. Our only hope is that you knew how much we loved you and cared.

One day Momma we knew you would die, Dammit please don’t tell us not to cry.

Your family keeps growing, with great grandbabies in tow, We’ll make sure your memory is something they will know.

We thank you for the time and effort you have put in, We sure hope you can look back now on your life with a grin.

On July 25th you have gotten your wings, so it was your time. But one day we will all meet you again at the finish line.

You’ve really worked hard all of your life, Being our Mom, our Memaw and a wife.

The day has come, we knew you had died, Just so you know, we will try our hardest ,not to cry.