Carole A. Gutsch

On October 13, 2018 Carole Ann Gutsch died peacefully in her sleep in Palos Heights, Illinois at 81 years old. Carole is survived by her sister Shirley, two children Kenneth Gutsch and Kimberly Prezioso, daughter in-law Rebecca Rogers, son in-law Chris Prezioso, and four grandchildren James, John, Lou Mei, and Anne.

Carole was born on June 9, 1937 in Chicago to Herman and Ruth Reisser. After graduating from Parker high school she married her high school sweetheart Kenneth Gutsch in 1958. Together they raised two children, Ken and Kim.

Carole started working as an agent at Eastern airlines, and then operated several businesses with her husband including Ken’s Place, the best neighborhood tavern in Oak Lawn. To everyone who knew her, Carole was an extremely generous person and a very caring mother and grandmother. She combined her creative talents with her passion for giving by operating her own gift-basket business for some 15 years, Dial-A-Gift by Carole.

From 1987 to 1988, Carole looked after her sister, Ruth, until she died.

Carole grew a very close circle of friends in high school, with whom she played cards on a weekly basis for her entire life.

After her husband of 49 years passed away in 2006 Carole became very active in several senior centers, playing cards there 4 times a week. She served as president of one center, and also served the community on the Oak Lawn Mayor’s senior advisory group. She often volunteered her time driving other seniors to their medical appointments. She remained quite independent and active until last May when her health began to rapidly decline.

A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday October 16th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. service at the Vandenberg Funeral Home. A luncheon will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Garden Chalet. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.