Carol A. Krueger

Carol Krueger died on August 18, 2025, from complications due to Alzheimer's disease, having spent her final years receiving wonderful care at Bristol Glenn's Tapestries memory care unit in Newton, NJ.

Carol spent 52 glorious years in Lake Mohawk, Sparta, NJ, with her beloved husband Charles, who predeceased her. She is survived by son Timothy and partner Michelle Doty (Oak Ridge, NJ), daughter Julie and son-in-law Dan Stolzer (Lancaster, PA), granddaughters Rachel (Philadelphia) and Hanna (Brooklyn), dozens of nieces and nephews, and her childhood best friend Mary Wheling (Chicago).

Born in Chicago to George and Marion Guthardt, Carol enjoyed an idyllic childhood ice skating downtown, horseback riding in Lincoln Park and visiting Marshall Fields' Santa. She met Chuck, the love of her life, on a blind date in the early 1950s. After several moves, they settled in Sparta in 1972. The transition from city girl to country living had its moments—within her first week, she ran out of gas and had to walk home carrying her groceries, a story she'd tell with good humor for decades.

Carol was a serial hobbyist extraordinaire. In 1977, she impulsively won a horse at a Pope John High School auction ("Won? More like inherited a hay bill," she'd joke), launching a 15-year adventure as an Arabian horse mom to her beloved Joppa.

Her employment history reads like a masterclass in spending your entire paycheck at work. As a cashier at Sparta Paint and Wallpaper, she wallpapered every surface in their East Shore Trail home—yes, including the ceilings. When she ran out of walls, she moved to The Yarn Loft, where she knitted everything from cashmere sweaters to doll clothes with the most exotic yarns her paycheck could buy.

Carol's hidden talents included a stint in Indianapolis community theater and an ability to belt out standards like "My Funny Valentine" with such gusto that she once accompanied pianist "Sir Robin" at Manhattan's Water Club. She was also a watercolor artist and possessed the rare gift of getting a Christmas cactus to actually bloom in December for 40 consecutive years.

Her final and most enduring passion was golf. With Chuck, she attempted to golf in all 50 states—falling short by about 20, but as she'd say, "It's not about the destination, it's about the 19th hole."

Carol lived fully, loved deeply, and left us with enough stories to last several lifetimes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Support Center for Child Advocates where Carol’s granddaughter Rachel serves as a social worker supporting and advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect in navigating legal and social services resources. Donations can be made online : Support Center for Child Advocates or via mail to: Support Center for Child Advocates, 1617 JFK Blvd.,, Suite 1200, Philadelphia PA 19103.

Visitation for Carol will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM at Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta, NJ 07871. A prayer service will be held Friday immediately following the visitation. Graveside service will follow at Sparta Presbyterian Methodist Cemetery, 32 Main St, Sparta, NJ 07871.