Carolyn Schrage

Carolyn (Seward) Schrage, 92, of Schaumburg, Illinois, peacefully passed away on April 17th, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born June 29th, 1932 in Ottawa, Illinois. The daughter of Edward and Ann (Whiston) Seward.

Carolyn Schrage was known for her fun-loving and outgoing personality, so it was no surprise she would find herself performing on stage right out of school. Her love of dance and music took her to Las Vegas, Cincinnati, and Chicago, where she established herself as a professional dancer. Carolyn loved to reminisce about her time at the Palmer House where her dance troupe performed the after dinner show in the Empire Room. While in Chicago, Carolyn met the love of her life, John “Jack” Schrage, and exchanged professional dancing for dances in the living room. Together they embarked on building a beautiful marriage of over 45 years with their Catholic faith at the foundation. They settled down in Oak Park where she was an active member at St. Edmund’s Catholic Church, leading the Silver Circle. She raised, encouraged and nurtured her two sons, Dave and Greg, as well as some friends from the neighborhood who lovingly referred to her as “mom Schrage”. Carolyn and Jack later moved to Schaumburg, Illinois to be closer to her Sister Pat and Bud. Their strong bond led to the two being nicknamed “The Sisters” at the places they frequented most; Chandlers and Lou Malnatis. There were no strangers to Carolyn, only friends she hadn’t met yet, which led to her breakout role as “Miss Information” at the Woodfield Mall information desk. There wasn’t a store she couldn’t point you in the right direction to. Carolyn loved her family and friends dearly, and was happiest when she got to share special moments together. These occasions were as momentous as weddings or as simple as phone calls and letters. Carolyn stayed connected to those she loved. So, whether she was known to you as Mom, Grandma, sister, or friend, all who love her would agree, May is, indeed, a Beautiful Month.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her sons, Dave (Kay) Schrage and Greg (Mary) Schrage; 7 grandchildren, Katy, Bri, Jason, Niccole, Tracy, Morgan, and David; 10 great grandchildren, Jack, Maci, Nora, Chloe, Cecelia, Owen, Charlie, Benjamin, Eleanor, and Daxton; and two important sisters, Jane (Phil) Gillespie and Nannette Twardos. In her passing, Carolyn was reunited with her husband, Jack Schrage, her beloved sister Pat Schneider and a dear cousin, Rosemary Whiston.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. (CST) Saturday, May 24, 2025, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 24500 South Navajo Drive, Channahon, Illinois 60410. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.  Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.