Carol (LeVan) Grabow

Carol (LeVan) Grabow, 90, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026, at her home in Kokomo, IN, surrounded by her family. Carol exuded incredible kindness, generosity, humor, and compassion to all she met. She said frequently that the two most important loves in her life were her faith in God, and her family. She indeed loved them well.

Carol was born on December 11, 1935, to Thomas and Emily LeVan in Milwaukee, WI. She attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, was a member of Alpha Tau Delta and Theta Phi Alpha sororities. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1957. While at Marquette she met her husband, Gale Grabow (Marquette ME’57), and they were married in 1956. Seven children and a National Cooking contest win later, Carol returned to Marquette and obtained a Master’s in Nursing in 1970. 

Carol and her family moved to Kokomo, IN. in 1972, where she accepted a position as a Nursing professor at Indiana University-Kokomo. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she helped develop curriculum for Nursing Professor Graduate programs, and also assisted colleges with developing and accrediting their Bachelor of Nursing programs. 

Carol remained a Nursing professor until her retirement in 1999, and then began her second vocation, volunteering. Carol was a volunteer Chaplain at Saint Joseph hospital and went to Haiti with her church as a medical team to serve, continuing her legacy of caring for the sick. She also was a volunteer at Saint Vincent DePaul and Birthright in Kokomo and served in various ways at Saint Joan of Arc Church.

Carol’s lifelong kind and generous nature resulted in numerous fun and occasionally boisterous family vacations. All seven of her children and their families enjoyed traveling with Carol to Jamaica, multiple locations in Florida, Myrtle Beach SC, Branson, MO, Wisconsin Dells and Caribbean cruises. Her children joined her on Christian pilgrimages to Ireland, Italy, France, Medjugorje, and the Holy Land.

Carol is survived by her children, Susan Zajac, Karyn (Juan) Valades, Lisa (Jack) Laughner, Cindy (Gregg) Lees, Gregory (Janice) Grabow, Holly (Steve) Moore, and Jeffrey (Denise) Grabow; 24 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son in law, Jerry Zajac.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 pm, Friday February 20, 2026, at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 S 200 W, Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Dennis O’Keeffe, celebrant. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 10:30 am to the start of the Mass on Friday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s memory to the charity of your choice. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com. 
 

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