Carol Joan Yoshioka

Carol was born and raised in Chicago, IL and grew up in the Portage Park neighborhood. She was born to the late Oscar and Ellen Emberg, a stationary engineer and homemaker respectively. As a young girl, she attended Belmont Park Baptist Church. Later her family transitioned to the Irving Park Baptist Church. Most of Carol’s time growing up was spent at church including Sunday attendance, mid-week activities, and “Sing-spirations.” Carol graduated from Carl Schurz High school in Chicago in 1953. While there, she participated in the school choir and earned solo parts in the musicals. In 1957 she earned her Bachelor of Education degree from National Louis University. Years later she went on to earn her master’s degree in special education from the same institution.

Carol was first married to Robert Risch in 1957. Together they had three children. While Robert practiced Optometry, Carol stayed home with the children. Tragically, in 1978 Robert passed away, leaving Carol a widow. Needing to find full-time work, Carol was hired at Maine North High School as a paraprofessional where she met her second husband, Robert Yoshioka. Robert and Carol were married in 1981, blessing Carol with two more sons from Robert’s previous marriage.

Carol was an educator at heart. She loved children! That was evident by her choices to become a special education teacher in Maywood, IL spending time with her grandchildren, and serving in vacation bible school. She also loved music and singing. For most of her adult life, she sang in the church choir at both South Park Church and The Orchard Church. Because of her love for people, Carol was a natural - leading her Sunday school class as an activity coordinator. Carol was devoted to Bible study, Bible reading, and prayer. Each evening Carol and Robert would spend time reading and praying together.

Carol will be dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at home with her Creator. She is survived by her husband Robert; her sons Mark Risch, Brian (Tanya) Yoshioka, and Scott (Carmelina) Yoshioka; her daughters Karen (Keith) Larsen, and Nancy (Michael) Swider; her grandchildren, Jessica (Jake) Castillo, Justin (Renee) Swider, Mikey (Katie) Swider, Luke Larsen, Jaycie Risch, Hannah (River) Shindledecker, Cole and Isabella Yoshioka, Harper Yoshioka, Karl (Callie) Meister, and Sarah Meister; along with 12 great-grandchildren, and her sister, Jean Mladick. Carol is preceded in death by her parents.

Carol’s “Celebration of Life” service will be held at The Orchard Church, 1330 N. Douglas Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL on Wednesday, October 30th. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am, a memorial service at Noon, with a luncheon to follow.

Donations can be made in Carol’s honor to The Orchard Church.