Carol Elizabeth Strote, age 81, was born on February 23, 1944 in Rockford, IL and passed away on August 12, 2025 at her home in Monterey, TN. She was a graduate of Southern Illinois University, with teaching degrees in English and Special Education. She put those degrees to good use as a regular and a Special Education teacher within the Rockford School District for 20 years. She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Severin Albert Strote, 85, SFC 20yr Army Veteran and 3yr Recruiter for the IL Army National Guard; sister Sylvia Jackalone of Tuscon, AZ; cousin Connie (Phillips) Vallance; and a host of nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her parents Carl Sigurd and Theda Christine (Phillips) Johnson; previous husband Ronald Peterson; son Ian Jordan; brother Kevin Johnson; and sister Joy Rittmeyer. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Visitation will begin at 1pm, with the service to follow at 2pm, Mike Reagan to officiate. She will be laid to rest in East TN Veterans Cemetery on September 2, 2025.