February 3, 1933 – February 26, 2024
Carol J. Housman, nee Slager, age 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 26, 2024. She was preceded in death by her dear husband, Donald R. Housman (2007). Carol was a loving mother to Keith (Margie) Kelderhouse of Monticello, IN, Gail (Mike) Vermeulen of Cedar Lake, IN, Todd (Deb) Kelderhouse of Dyer, IN and Bonnie (Housman) and Craig Feenstra of Peotone, IL, and Nancy (Housman) and George Moore of Iowa. She was called “Grandma” to many grandchildren, “GiGi” to many, many great grandchildren, and “Great-Great Grandma” to one.
She was the youngest of six children born to the late John and Elizabeth (Bessie) Slager and grew up on the south side of Chicago in the Roseland neighborhood. She was preceded in death by her siblings, William (Helen) Slager, Anne (Dave) Drinnan, Jeanette (Chuck) Linden, and Babe (Rich) Lund, and is survived by her brother and sister-in-law John and Joanne Slager of Naples, FL. She was also called “Aunt Carol” to many nieces and nephews.
Carol was fun loving to be around and always out for a good time! Carol loved Jesus and it showed! She attended Faith Reformed Church in South Holland and soon helped form a group called “Positive Singles” where she met her future husband, Don. She worked as a secretary for World Home Bible League and then for Country Companies Insurance for many years. Don and she were blessed with 24 years of marriage and enjoyed golfing, shopping, and traveling together, and also singing in the choir at their new church home, First Reformed Church of South Holland. She never let a birthday go by without sending a card even though their families had grown tremendously. She loved baking and cooking especially when it came to their family Christmas party.
After Alzheimer’s became evident, she made her new home at Park Place and then eventually moved to Cedarhurst in Dyer in 2021 where she received additional care. She continued to recognize her friends and family’s faces and always lit up when her grandchildren and great grandchildren walked in the room to visit! We draw our comfort in knowing she is resting in the arms of Jesus!
A memorial gathering will be held with friends and family on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Celebration of Life service at 12 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane (Rt.30/Pleasant Springs Ln.), Dyer, IN, with Rev. Mark Prestriedge and Rev. Dr. Rich Grevengoed officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/indiana) or Providence Life Services (www.providencelifeservices.com). For further information, please contact 219-322-7300.
