Caroline M. Hentschel

Caroline May Hentschel (Strang) (Peck), 92, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 6, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Caroline was born on February 11, 1933, in Traverse City to the late Daniel and Cecil Peck. Caroline was the second born of 10 children to the Peck couple on her family’s homestead. She held her residency on the same road for her life of 92 years. She married Frank A. Strang on April 9, 1950, and shared 53 loving years together, after finding love again in her 70s. She later married the “love of her life” Leroy (Roy) Hentschel on October 6, 2007. He sadly passed less than a year later. While at the age of 50. She wanted to complete night school and receive her GED. She wanted to show that it doesn’t matter how old you are you can do anything. She was always a guiding compass for her family showing the path for greatness. It was also in this time Caroline worked 33 years in the healthcare system as head supervisor of housekeeping at Osteopathic Hospital, and later at Tender Care nursing facility, so that she could take care of her aging mother who became a resident of Tender Care. Caroline enjoyed spending time in her remaining years with her sisters, whom she would go and listen to music and dance with fellow friends and family. Her past time was reading and trading her novels with her sisters. She enjoyed spending time with her big flourishing family. Her favorite thing to say if you asked, “How are you today?” Her answer was always “Well I am Perfect didn’t you know that? “She also always answered the phone with “Hello my dear “cherished words her big family will miss. Her large family made her hometown a perfect place to stay her entire life. Caroline is survived by her brother, Everett Peck, sisters, Arlis, Alice and children, Frank, David, Thomas, Linda (Strang) Buie. She has 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 6 great greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Cecil Peck, husbands, Frank Strang, LeRoy Hentschel, sisters, Jane, Jeanette, Barb, brothers, Danny, Johnny, and Jerry, as well as her oldest daughter Cathy (Strang) Burns. Friends are welcome to visit with Caroline’s family from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. A funeral service honoring Caroline will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Pastor Deb Patterson will officiate. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Caroline’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Caroline M. Hentschel

February 11, 1933 - December 6, 2025