She attended St. Louis the King grade school and high school graduating in 1959. Carol matriculated to the University of Michigan majoring in nursing. She met her husband Stan on a blind date the summer between her freshman and sophomore year. They were married in July of 1963 and began life together in Livonia, MI. In 1965, the first of their 4 sons, Jeffrey was born followed by Mark in 1966, James in 1969 and David in 1970. In 1973 Carol returned to the University of Michigan to pursue a master’s degree in nursing. Upon completion, she took a full-time teaching position at Madonna University in nursing while simultaneously studying for her doctorate in Education at the University of Michigan. In 1984, having earned her PhD, Carol joined the faculty in the School of Nursing at Oakland University. As Graduate Program Director at Oakland, she guided the nursing school’s development of a master’s level CRNA program in partnership with William Beaumont Hospital. Dr. Zenas served as Acting Dean of the School of Nursing for several years and also as a college accreditation visitor for the National League for Nursing.
Carol and Stan traveled extensively throughout North America, the Caribbean and Europe. However, the best of times were spent at their cottage on Skegemog Lake in Williamsburg, MI boating, dirt biking and snowmobiling with family and friends. In 1996, they tore down the old cottage and built their dream home on the lake. They also became “snowbirds” with a second home in North Fort Myers, FL. Carol was an amazing hostess and gourmet chef. Her hobbies included quilting and bridge.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, John and Genevieve Mistell.
She is survived by her husband Stan of 56 years, sons Jeff (Julie), Mark, Jim (Tara) and Dave (Lori) and grandchildren Steve (Liz), Rob, Greg, Riley, Trevor, Claire, Madeline and Jessica.
An announcement for a celebration of life for Carol will be made at a later date.
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