Carol Nelson

Carol Nelson, 89, of Lake Barrington, passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her side on June 6, 2026. She was born on September 18, 1936 in Chicago, IL to the late Marcus and Berta Junker. As an only child, her cousins and foster sister became her siblings and loved she them as such throughout her life.

She attended North Park Academy prior to completing her Nurses Training at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago where she became a Registered Nurse. Many friendships which started in these schools became lifelong friends. Carol was a pediatric nurse for most of her career where she shared her love for children and caring for families.

Carol met Arnie, they married in May of 1963. They lived most of their life together in Arlington Heights, IL before moving to Lake Barrington in 2021. They were longtime members of Northwest Covenant Church in Mount Prospect.

Carol’s faith was important to her. She took Jesus’s command to “Love one another” seriously and showed her love in many ways throughout her life. Carol was active in the church serving in various capacities. She and Arnie were a part of the same small group for more than 50 years, last meeting in March of 2026.

Carol loved to watch sports (especially basketball), James Bond movies, and the Hallmark Channel. Lou Malnati’s pizza and all things chocolate were favorites, as well. She was an avid reader of mysteries and loved to laugh. She often had a twinkle in her eye when someone came to see her, especially her great-grandchildren.

Most of all, Carol loved her family and cherished each member. She would find the special thing someone liked and made sure to include it. She had a special prayer list where each family member was assigned a day on which she would intentionally pray for them.

Carol loved to spend time up at the lake in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. Having gone there since being a child, she shared it with her children and all of her grandchildren. She loved the quiet of the lake, the smell of the pine cones, the noise of the family, and the size of the ice cream cones.

Carol will be deeply missed by her loving children, Jan (Brian) Peterson, Greg (Lisa) Nelson and Pam (John) Kavanagh; grandchildren, Emily Rose Nelson (Mikey Maude), Dylan Nelson, Braeden Nelson, Delaney Nelson, Abigail (Seth) Jones, Malin Peterson, Teagen Kavanagh and Kye Kavanagh; great-grandchildren, Landon, Mateo, and Ella Nelson-Maude;

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 62 years, Arnold Nelson in 2025.

Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, June 19, 2026 10:30 am until the time of the Memorial Service, 11:30 am. Northwest Covenant Church, 300 N. Elmhurst Avenue, Mount Prospect, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Focus, reference the Nelson-Curnyn Free Eye Clinic Online: 1Focus.org (specifiy Nelson-Curnyn Free Eye Clinic)  If paying by Check: Please write checks to Focus referring to the Nelson-Curnyn Free Eye Clinic on the memo line. Mail to 58 Ridge Rd, Barrington Hills, IL 60010