Obituary of Carole Kristen Vandenberg

July 18, 1940 - February 1, 2025

Carole Vandenberg.  Age 85 of Grosse Ile. 

Carole Kristen Kennedy Vandenberg died of complications from dementia and stroke on February 1, 2025, at Corewell Trenton Hospital, in the presence of her husband and her daughters. She was eighty-four years old.

Carole loyally described herself as a “Wyandotte girl.” She was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, on July 18, 1940, to Leverette and Harriet Kennedy. After graduating with a degree in elementary education and art from Western Michigan University in 1962, she returned to the city to teach.

She met her husband Bernie at the Courtesy Drive-In in Trenton, in a scene she claimed was “straight out of American Graffiti.” In 1966, they married at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wyandotte, then moved to nearby Grosse Ile, where they would buy a home and raise a family.

A passionate and dedicated teacher, Carole taught fifth grade at Garfield Elementary School for over thirty years. She was well-known for being tough, fair, and fun, and for her ability to connect with kids that others had written off as behavior problems, especially boys. She discreetly provided warm clothing and gave extra hugs to students who needed them, and took delight in figuring out the exact book to place in a kid’s hands in order to turn him into a book lover. She was a lifelong learner, returning to college in her fifties to earn a master’s degree in children’s literature from Eastern Michigan University. After she retired, she devoted herself to learning fiber arts, and became a traditional artisan rug-maker with Chapter 121 of the National Guild of Pearl K. McGown Rughookrafters. 

Carole was a longtime active member of Saint James Episcopal Church on Grosse Ile, where at various times she chaired the rummage sale, served on the altar guild, played in the bell choir, and maintained their memorial garden. At home she tended her own garden, read, baked, cooked, and opened her home to stray dogs, cats, and teenagers. She took great pride in being the daughter of a real cowboy and cherished her childhood memories of traveling with her family in the American West. She loved people, conversations big and small, and every form of silliness. Her greatest joy was becoming a grandmother. 

She is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, Bernard Vandenberg; daughters Katrina Vandenberg (John Reimringer) and Sara (Rick) Boc; sister Marie Johnson; two grandchildren; and the multitude of extended family members; former roommates, students, and colleagues; neighbors; and fellow church-goers and rug-hookers who will miss her. Carole made friends wherever she went. 

A memorial service and burial will be held at Saint James Episcopal Church of Grosse Ile on April 12 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Bacon Memorial District Library of Wyandotte, 734-246-8357, in honor of the hours of pleasure she found there, and the years she spent helping others do the same.