Carol Ann Kurek, age 80, of Ashland, passed away early Saturday morning, June 20, 2026, at The Good Shepherd Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born on August 29, 1945, in Mansfield, Ohio, to the late Henry and Margaret (Freund) Hock. Carol graduated from Madison High School in 1963 and attended one year at MedCentral Mansfield Nursing School. She was a people person, friendly and outgoing, who enjoyed meeting and greeting everyone. That fit perfectly with her work at What’s 4 Dessert and Geyer-Hawkins Super Value Store. She and her sister owned a successful business in the late 70s-early 80s named C & S Wall Covering. They thrived by word of mouth and partnered with various companies in the furniture and interior design businesses. She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Middle Bellville Road.
Carol was an excellent cook and baker. Her broccoli noodle soup, pies, cakes and cookies were a treat everyone enjoyed. She enjoyed gardening and her vision and green thumb earned her the Men’s Garden Club Award. Carol was very active and enjoyed biking, running, cycling and roller-blading. She became a dualathlete at the age of 54 and was named “Female Dualathlete of the Year” in 2004 by the Ohio Multi-Sport Association. She most enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren whom she adored.
Carol is survived by her husband of 61 years, Larry Kurek; three children, Todd (Brenda) Kurek, Lisa (Trent) Black and Shannon (Jennifer) Kurek; ten grandchildren, Tyler (Nicole) Cook, Sarah (Tanner) Neel, Ashley Black, Brooklyn Black, Madeline Kurek, Henry (Madilynn) Kurek, Ezra Kurek, Tyler Munro, Alissa Munro and Chase Munro; four great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Parker Neel and Oliver and Brynnlee Kurek; a sister, Sandi (Gary) Freeman; and nephew, Jeffrey (Frescia) Willis.
The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 pm on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 pm. She will be laid to rest in Mansfield Memorial Park.
The family wishes to say a special thank you to the amazing staff of nurses at the Good Shepherd Health and Rehabilitation Center—memory care unit, and her nurse, PJ, with Pathways Hospice.
Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com
Funeral Home: Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario
Website: www.wappner-ontario.com