Carol Lee Zabkowicz

With her sons and family by her side, Carol Lee Zabkowicz, age 71, passed away on Wednesday March 11, 2026, at the Milwaukee Catholic Home following a yearlong battle with brain cancer. Carol was born in Greenfield, WI on December 30, 1954, daughter of the late Harold and Joan “Olive” (nee: Bemis) Westphal.

Carol graduated from Whitnall High School “Class of 1973”. She was a dedicated employee with AMC/Chrysler Motors for over fifty years until she retired in September of 2024. During her first years at AMC, Carol met the love of her life, Stanley John Zabkowicz, and married him on December 27, 1975. They raised two sons, John and Jacob. Carol and Stan shared nearly thirty beautiful years together before Stanley passed away suddenly on August 14, 2004. Carol used her creative and artistic talents to produce many paintings through the years. She was the kindest person you could ever meet. Carol especially loved and devoted herself to her family and cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren.

Carol will be dearly missed by her sons, John (Megan) Zabkowicz and their children, Merryl and Margot; Jacob (Rebecca) Zabkowicz and their children, Logan and Brynn; her sister, Susan “Susie” (Ronald) Blazek; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Diane (Dennis) Pallai, Karen (Dennis) Murawski, Linda (Richard) Hegg, Marybeth (Daniel) Trampe, John (Dawn) Zabkowicz, and Janine (John) Kalisz; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Carol was also preceded in death by her brother, Christopher Westphal and sister, Sandra Anderson.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family at Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home for visitation on Wednesday March 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. Private graveside services will be held at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Milwaukee.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Froedtert Hospital and to Jolene and the staff at the Milwaukee Catholic Home for loving and compassionate care.