Carol Lee Hubacek

Carol Lee (Jernberg) Hubacek of Carmel, IN, was called home by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, September 1, 2025. Carol was born to Frank Robert Jernberg, Jr. and Leona Martha (Golke) Jernberg on May 26, 1948. She was baptized at Saint Martini Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL on June 20, 1948, and confirmed at Ashburn Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL in April, 1962.

Carol began her high school education at Bogan High School in Chicago, IL. Her senior year, her family moved to California and she graduated from Rowland Heights High School in 1966.

Carol received a BA in Education from Concordia University Chicago (formerly Concordia River Forest) in 1970 and subsequently obtained two Master degrees: one in Education and the other in Administration.

Carol started her teaching career at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Chicago Heights, IL in 1970.

On August 10, 1974, Carol married Charles Malcolm Hubacek. Together, they enjoyed 44 years filled with travel and adventure before his death in 2018.

Carol and Charles had two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily. Only 20 months apart in age, Carol raised them to be close friends just like her and her “baby seester” Joyce. Carol was so proud of her daughters, and although she said she had never wanted sons, she was blessed with seven grandchildren – one girl and a grand total of six boys. Carol doted on her grandchildren, and she spent as much time with them as possible.

She devoted the majority of her career to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Crown Point, IN, teaching first grade and later serving as principal from 1994 until her retirement in 2005.

Carol was generous and loving and selflessly gave of her time and many talents. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She impacted countless students and instilled her love of books in those she taught. She was known around Trinity for her theatrical readings of “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” and “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear,” which she read to her first graders and eventually her grandchildren. Carol loved to sing - loudly and with passion and basked in others’ musical talents. She was always there with a kind and encouraging word for anyone who wanted to pursue their passions and express their creativity. She spent her time gardening, quilting, knitting, making blankets, sewing holiday dresses for her daughters, designing Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, crafting prayer shawls, and enjoying various other hobbies. Throughout the years, she generously gave these handmade creations to countless recipients with love.

Carol had a deep appreciation for fine food and drink, led a vibrant and celebratory life, was a gracious hostess, and loved a good party. Any occasion was an excuse to try new recipes. She was an excellent and adventurous cook but also had her tried and true recipes (plum dumplings, potato pancakes, crepes, and anything her grandchildren requested). She made friends wherever she went and could connect with anyone. She traveled across the country with her husband, friends, and daughters, frequently visiting the Texas Gulf Coast and any place with a beach, creating many cherished memories. Carol had a great memory, and even after her stroke in April 2025, she entertained everyone who came to visit with her stories, unabashedly sharing them with all the wonderful nurses, therapists, doctors and caregivers she met along the way.

Carol had unshakeable faith in God and was a true witness of Christ's love and forgiveness for all. She knew and shared the message that our hope of salvation is through Him. The number of people she witnessed to and loved are too numerous to count.

“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing…Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:26, 28-31

Carol is survived by her daughters: Elizabeth (Darrin) Monroe of Canton, MI, Emily (Dr. Jared) Snyder of Fishers, IN; seven grandchildren: Morrigan, Kaden, Malcolm and Eugene Monroe, Ryan, Jack and Grant Snyder. Her sister Joyce (Glenn) Pedersen, her brother Paul (Debbie) Jernberg. Her sister-in-law Diane (John) Moncada and her nieces and nephews Kelly (Cindy Gach) Pedersen, Laura (Florian) Reyda, Charles Ryan, Christopher (Sara) Moncada, Matthew (Jilian) Moncada, Colin Jernberg, and Sarah Jernberg. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, her parents, and her niece Melissa Moncada.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, 4850 E. Main Street, Carmel, IN 46033, with visitation from 10:00am to 12:00pm, service at 12:00pm, Pastor Max Murphy officiating, and a luncheon to follow.

Memorial gifts can be made to Cornerstone Lutheran Church and/or their Comfort Dog Ministry. Carol quickly found her church family after her move to Carmel, IN in 2022 and was passionate about her new church home and their ministries. Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Central Indiana is an Affiliate in the K9 Comfort Dog Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities (LCC). The K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is a national human-care ministry that embraces the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers to interact with people of all ages and circumstances who are suffering and in need.

The family requests if you were the recipient of any handmade gifts lovingly crafted by Carol, that you bring it to display and share in her honor during the visitation and at the luncheon following the memorial service on October 4th, 2025.