Dr. Carol Emma Stellwagen

Dr. Carol Emma Stellwagen

Cedar Rapids

Dr. Carol Emma Stellwagen, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025 at the Hospice Center of St. Luke’s Hospital. She had resided at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at the church immediately following the visitation. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will follow on a future date at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Carol was born on Nov. 7, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to parents Leonard and Norma (Rosenthal) Stellwagen. Following her graduation from Milwaukee Lutheran High School, Carol earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Brown University, and the University of Iowa, where she earned a Ph.D. in Science Education.

A passionate and enthusiastic supporter of Christian education, Carol taught chemistry, physics, and mathematics at Lutheran High School, Rocky River, Ohio; Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois as a Tenured Professor and Natural Science Department Chair; and Concordia University, Saint Paul, Minnesota as a Tenured Professor. She also was a Technical Writer and Assistant Lab Manager for Safety-Kleen Corporation in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. She published numerous academic papers, developed curricula for multiple programs, and was a member of the American Chemical Society and National Science Teachers Association.

Carol was involved with many volunteer activities, founding the Proviso Area Redevelopment in the Chicago area; rebuilding homes after Hurricane Katrina, and serving as Congregational President of Emmaus Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

She will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews for her love of ice cream, trips to planetarium shows and amusement parks, her help with science fair projects, drinking TAB and Diet Coke, hiking, Chicago deep dish pizza, wearing colorful jogging shoes, making up her own board game rules, burning popcorn over campfires, and bringing a pitcher of lemon meringue pie to an Easter dinner for dessert.

Carol is survived by her sister, Judith Schroeder of Cedar Rapids and sister-in-law Emalee Stellwagen of Wheaton, Illinois; nieces and nephews: Christopher (Amy) Schroeder, Heidi Schroeder, the Rev. Jonathan (Alisa) Schroeder, Matthew (Lori) Stellwagen, Andrew Schroeder, Benjamin (Laurie) Stellwagen, Bethany (Erik) Dillon, and fourteen beloved grandnieces and grandnephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dr. Joel Stellwagen, and her brother-in-law Lowell Schroeder.

For the entirety of her life here on earth, Carol joyfully served as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.