Mitzi Lorraine Carr

Mitzi Lorraine Carr, 89, of Hudson and Gridley, IL, died Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Sugar Creek Memory Care in Normal, IL.

Mitzi was born on April 27, 1934, in Fairbury, IL, to Joseph D. and Grace L. Watts Simmons. She married Richard G. Carr on August 28, 1955 in Bloomington, IL. He died on June 21, 2009.

Surviving family includes her children, Jeffrey “Jeff” (Julie) Carr of Gridley, Marti (late Dennis) Giesel of Gridley, Todd (Carol) Carr of Bloomington, JoDee (Philip) Best of England, Amanda Barnes of Rochelle, Zachary (Kim) Carr of Streator, Meghan (Tim) Nibbelin of Charlotte, NC; 26 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, Charles “Chuck” (Julie) Simmons of Maine, Mahlon (Carol) Simmons of Pontiac, Charmaine Myers of Colorado, Garen (Marilyn) Simmons of Fairbury.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and granddaughter, Tegan Giesel.

Mitzi was retired nurse and a swim instructor at Four Seasons for over 25 years. She also helped her husband Richard with his ministry at McLean County Jail and was a foster parent who adopted two of the children in her care. She enjoyed hiking, horseback riding, swimming, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and was a dedicated runner who, up until the age of 82, ran five miles a day. She won many medals in races, but in her most important event, she fought the good fight, finished her course and kept the faith.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Hudson Cemetery.

Please consider donations to Special Olympics or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in her memory.

Condolences and tributes can be sent to family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.