Mary Carol Guerdet, 83, of Dubuque, IA, died on June 1st, 2025, in Dubuque.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 9th, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd with a wake service at 3:45 p.m. Additional visitation will be held after 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 10th, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 with Rev. Steven Rosonke officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Mary Carol was born on August 14, 1941, in Hazel Green, WI. The daughter of August and Delores (Runde) Fleege. She was united in marriage to Richard Guerdet on February 29, 1960, at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque, IL. In addition to raising six children, she worked at Sears and Younkers before they both closed and then volunteered around Dubuque at the Arboretum, the Discovery Shop, the Bell Tower Theater, and the Grand Opera House. Known to most as “Carol,” she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who lived a life filled with love, adventure, and song. Carol had a lifelong passion for singing—whether harmonizing with her family, lending her voice to the church choir, or sharing music with friends in the communities where she was deeply involved. She created countless joyful memories with family and friends, both at home and on her many cross-country journeys—from New York to Washington, California to Florida. Carol especially cherished summer visits from her grandchildren. Her home came alive with laughter, sticky popsicles, firefly chases, and late-night stories under the stars. Never one to shy away from adventure, Carol snorkeled the waters of Hawaii and Cozumel, rode roller coasters at Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland and even raced her grandson on jet skis off the California coast. As the proud matriarch of her family, she celebrated her 75th birthday in the Wisconsin Dells—soaring on zip lines, splashing through jet boat rides and playing miniature golf with the people she loved most. Carol also had a gift for storytelling. Her favorite tale was of her trip to Ireland, always drawing laughter when she recounted how a bottle of Jameson whiskey failed to make the flight home.

She is survived by her children: Karen (Todd) Schuster, Janice Arends, Robert (Maurine) Guerdet, David (Dennis Edenfield), and John (Kerry) Guerdet; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard; son Kenneth; sisters Eileen Rojeman and Irma Spahn; brothers Harold and Don Fleege; sister-in-law Janelle Donahue; and brothers-in-law James and Gene Guerdet.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice of Dubuque.

Carol’s family wishes to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Stonehill Memory Care and Home Care, Mt Carmel Bluffs, and Hospice of Dubuque. Their kindness, love, and generosity will never be forgotten.