KENOSHA – Mrs. Carol Ann Cress, 90, passed away at Froedtert South on Friday, August 28, 2026.

She was born in Madison on September 12, 1935, the daughter of the late John L. and Evalee (nee Ritchie) Collins. Carol graduated from Florence High School in 1954.

She married the love of her life, Donald L. Cress, on November 26, 1958. Donald preceded her in death on December 3, 2009.

Carol enjoyed Blue Grass music and loved traveling with Don to music festivals and Willie Nelson concerts in Missouri and Kentucky.

She was an excellent cook and loved preparing food for family gatherings. Everyone especially looked forward to her platters of Christmas cookies over the holidays. Carol was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and was happiest in the company of her entire family.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Kelly (Larry) Thompson; her son, Kevin (Kelly) Cress; her son-in-law, Curtiss Vergenz; her grandchildren, Steven (Kristin) Gasparin, David Gasparin, Katrina Gasparin, and Daniel Gasparin, Elise Chase, Justin Lorenzo, Helena Lorenzo, Jeremy Thompson, and Patrick Thompson; her great grandchildren, Samara, Jorden, Chance, Sadie, Ella, Noelle, Gavin, Michael, Donald, Macy, Davina, Malakai, Isaiah and Aiden; her brother, John (Gayle) Collins; her sister-in-law, Joyce Collins; as well as many dear nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband; Carol was preceded in death by her daughters, Jodi Rae Cress and Jill Vergenz; her brother, James Collins; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Melvin (Irene) Cress, Marshall (Janette) Cress, Betty (John) Lough, William (Clair) Cress, Lucille (Wendell) Savage, and Dorothy (Albert) Kohanowich.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, for a visitation from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. A service celebrating her life will follow at 11:00 am.

Carol’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of Froedtert South and Horizon Hospice for the loving and professional attention she received while under their care.