Carol Frances Strauss

Martha and Gus Eibelheuser were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Carol Frances, on August 7, 1939. Carol died on August 28, 2025, and was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Chuck, her parents, and her older brother Jay. She is survived by her three children, James Albert (and wife Karissa Thal), of State College, PA, Brian Edward (and wife Caryl), of Montgomery Village, MD, and Lynne Carol (and husband George Knobloch) of Freehold, New Jersey, and six grandchildren; Ellie and Clark (Jim), Ruth and Nora (Brian and Caryl), and Jessica and Jack (Lynne and George).

Carol grew up in Westfield, New Jersey, where German was still spoken in their household and her life was focused on an extensive family network and neighborhood friends. She was an excellent student at Westfield High School, and noted for considerable talent in music, clothing design, modeling, and sewing. She was first trumpet in Westfield High's band, a majorette in the Marching Band, a three-year member of New Jersey's State Chorus, and won a Singer sewing machine in a state competition for sewing design. Her older brother, Jay, faithfully included her in his adventures with model airplanes, boats, water skiing, and repair and customization of cars. At that time, Carol enjoyed attending Yankees baseball games with her father, family gatherings at Lake Estling, NJ, and beach trips to the Jersey shore, including Long Beach Island.

Carol enrolled at Penn State University in 1957 in Home Economics. She remarked that at that time, dormitories had "dorm mothers" with curfews and women were not even a part of the Blue Band until 1972, when Title IX was implemented. At Penn State in November 1957, she met her husband Chuck on a blind date, set up by good friends, Sue Cogswell and Jim DeTuerk. They were engaged on Halloween 1958 and wed in Westfield, New Jersey on December 20, 1958. Carol wore a stunning wedding dress that she designed and sewed by hand, complete with floral filigree and pearl applique.

The following several years were very busy, traveling to support her husband's graduate degree at Michigan State, where Carol held her first professional job as a receptionist for a Pediatrician in Michigan. The couple welcomed their first child, Jim, in March 1960. Shortly after, they traveled to her husband's first professional job in San Francisco, with the California Redwood Association.

In late 1961, the couple moved back to Penn State, with Chuck accepting a faculty post in the School of Forest Resources. A second son, Brian, was added to their family in December 1962 and they moved into their new home, designed by Chuck's architect father, and were the seventh occupied home in what was then a "brand new" neighborhood named Park Hills. Their daughter, Lynne Carol, was born in January 1965. Sewing for Carol was "high art" and she was a designer, stylist, and window decorator for the Golden Eagle Fabric and Sewing Shop in State College during the 1970's. At that time, she also worked for Penn State Food Science as a member of their "Taste Panel", assessing food flavor and quality in studies ranging from new Penn State ice cream flavors to results of mechanically deboned chicken, the latter being noted as a least favorite!

Much of Carol's early married life focused on oversight of and support for her three children. She served as a PTA member for Radio Park Elementary School and other childhood education institutions including, Junior Museum, Cub Scouts, and Brownies. Recreationally, she joined the Penn State Tennis Club in the early 1970's and was an avid player of singles and doubles well into her early seventies. She loved the game, strategy, and socialization found playing the "Bridge" card game with several different community groups. Carol's culinary creations were appreciated throughout the community, and she won local awards for her Yule Log cake, blueberry, cherry, and peach pies, pheasant, and other wild game dishes.

Carol spent many hours of volunteer time with the Centre Community Hospital Auxiliary, which raised money and provided people to staff the "community operations" of what was then Centre Community Hospital, now known as Mount Nittany Medical Center. As this organization grew, she became a full-time employee in 1975 for the hospital as their "Auxiliary Treasurer", organizing the financial records and accounting for the Auxiliary. Her organizational skills led to her being promoted to also manage the hospital's Gift Shop in 1978, where she served as buyer, accountant, salesperson, and the "go-to-lady" for many of the hospital's meetings, banquets, and recognition events. She assisted in the transfer of Auxiliary operations to Mount Nittany Medical Center in 2005 and helped organize and review the redesign and renovation of the gift shop. She retired from her post in 2012, having served the Auxiliary and Mt. Nittany Medical Center for 38 years.

Carol and Chuck enjoyed travel together and with family. Summers included vacations at the New Jersey Shore and Long Beach Island, hosted by Carol's parents, the Eibelheusers; and repeated 30 years later with Carol and Chuck hosting their grandchildren. When their family was older, Carol braved epic camping excursions across both the southwest and northwest, visiting and recreating in the Great American National Park System. She was a weather hardy Penn State Football fan, who believed in attending home games in person and always enjoyed watching the Blue Band during half time. As a couple, Carol and Chuck enjoyed trips to China, England, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Hawaii, Bermuda, and especially the Cayman Islands.

One constant throughout Carol's life was her attention and love to family. She enjoyed each of her six grandchildren; and gracefully embraced her new name "Gammi". In many respects she was the true center of our Family, and the one constant encouraging everyone in their diverse pursuits. Her graceful approach to life with kindness and empathy towards people continues in our lives, our loves, and our interactions with others.

We extend our thanks to the many fine people at Juniper Village Wellspring, Juniper Brookline Skilled Nursing, and Grane Hospice, who provided critical care, support, and love to our mother over these past few years. Carol very much appreciated numerous visits and love extended to her by family, friends, and neighbors.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 6-8 PM, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College.

Celebration of Life will be held Thursday September 4, 2025, 1:00 PM, at the Koch Funeral Home with Celebrant, Evelyn Wald.

A Burial Service will follow at the Spring Creek Cemetery Gravesite, near Centre Hills.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to donor's favorite charity.