Obituary of Carol Virginia Stanger

In loving memory of Carol Virginia Stanger (Neal) of North Port, Florida, who passed away on October 9,2023 after bravely fighting metastatic ovarian cancer for the last two and a half years. Carol was the devoted wife of fifty-three wonderful years to Brett Stanger and loving mother of Matthew Stanger (Nicole), Michelle Klanke (Rob) and Brittiney George (Chuck). Carol, and her brilliant smile, will be deeply missed by all who knew her, including her siblings (Larry Neal, Richard Neal, Janet Eifert, Mary Combs (Tim) and Harold Neal (Marij)), grandchildren (Haley Klanke, Gillian Stanger, Jacob Klanke, and Graeme Stanger), several nieces and nephews as well as cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Carol was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of others before her own. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage, grace, and dignity. Carol was a source of inspiration to us all and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

Her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Special Education and Elementary Education and master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in Teaching Learning Disabilities allowed her to positively impact the lives of numerous students over the years serving as a Special Education Teacher and Elementary teacher in three states including the Cheyenne Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and Adjunct Professor with Spring Arbor University.

When not at one of the kids’ or grandkids’ sporting event, concert or play she could be found playing golf (hoping for Birdie Juice or Par Punch), reading, traveling, helping with Backpack Angels or the elections, participating in advocacy for equality and human rights, playing games, or making lists (especially Honey-Do Lists). She was a great connector, loved socializing and ensuring all felt included and welcome. (Must have been her early years as President of the Newcomers Club that ignited that fire.)

Her Celebration of Life will be held at Farley Funeral Home 5900 South Biscayne Drive, North Port, FL on October 12, 2023. Visitation is from 9:30-10:30am with Celebration Service from 10:30-11am. Graveside Service will be at 1:00pm at Sarasota National Cemetery 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL, and a Celebration Reception from 2:30-4:30pm will be held at Lakeside Plantation Clubhouse 2200 Plantation Blvd, North Port, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice https://tidewellfoundatin.org/donate/ , local hospice of your choice or plant a tree in her memory in a National Forest in need through https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative-trees-in-memory .

Carol instilled in her kids “Leave things better when you leave than when you arrived” and there is no doubt this is how she lived her life and left this earth. All whose life she touched is better than before she arrived.