Carol Ann Peschke, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026, at the age of 85.

Carol was born to Anthony and Virginia Peschke on June 2, 1941. She was reared with a younger brother and sister in Inglewood, California, where she attended St. Anselm Grammar School and Bishop Conaty High School, graduating in 1959.

In August 1959, Carol entered the religious order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In 1961, her vocation brought her to teaching elementary school in Orinda and Laguna Beach, both in California. In 1970, she left the order to pursue a master’s degree in religious education at Fordham University in New York.

Carol later moved to Stamford, Connecticut, where she worked as an adult education counselor. In 1985, she married Alf Svensen, with whom she moved to Norway, where she embraced the culture and learned to speak Norwegian fluently. By 1990, Carol had returned to the United States and settled in Fife Lake, Michigan, before moving to the home she loved in Interlochen, Michigan, where she worked as a counselor in the area until her retirement. During that time, she also proudly bred Norwegian Labrador Retrievers.

Beyond her special love for dogs, Carol was also a very curious and creative person. She loved to knit, make dolls, cook, read, and garden. And she always delighted in beating any of her family members at the card game Cribbage, especially when leaving her opponents "skunked."

In addition to her beloved dog, Gracie, Carol is survived by her loving brother, Richard Peschke (the late Noreen); her loving sister, Nancy Gladheim (Daryl); nephews Eric Peschke (Monika), Kevin Peschke (Sally), and Chris Sheehan (Alex); and many loving great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

Carol will be remembered for her devotion to her faith, spirited and humorous personality, intellectual conversations, caring nature, and ministry to friends and people in need.

Visitation will be held at Beacon Covell-Traverse City Chapel, 511 S. Garfield Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49686, on October 16, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 p.m., during which a brief celebration of life service will be held at 5:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Humane Society in Carol’s memory. 

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com