Carol Anne Gannon Hembel

MIDDLETON - Carol Anne Gannon-Hembel, age 72, of Middleton, passed away peacefully after a long life of curiosity and adventure on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, at Sylvan Crossings of Fitchburg. She was born on April 6, 1948, in Beloit, the daughter of Jerome and Lorainne (Mueller) Gannon. She married the love of her life, Alan G. Hembel, on March 21, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Carol attended Brother Dutton Elementary School and Beloit Catholic High School, and then went on to graduate from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wis. with a degree in Medical Technology. Following her graduation, she began working at St. Luke’s in Milwaukee and later St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison in the field of Respiration Therapy. Carol then worked as a liaison between the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and State Laboratory of Hygiene, coordinating research in lead prevention. Her hard work and dedication inspired her to become a business entrepreneur, and in 1985, she founded C.G. Technologies Inc. Carol served as a consultant in microscopy and the company functioned as a reference lab to collect and analyze toxic waste, primarily asbestos. She proudly worked and operated the company for many years, retiring only to spend more time with her family. Carol lived a life that was filled with joy and exploration, seizing every opportunity to see the world and find excitement in her day-to-day life. She spent her summers as a young woman working for local advertisers, handing out flyers and samples on doorknobs - a back-up for not being able to have a paper route. She found joy in the little adventures she took at home, and over time, she began exploring more of the world. In 2003, she took her first trip to Europe. It was the first in a long list of global travels. With Alan by her side, she traveled to all seven Hawaiian Islands, Bora-Bora, Morea, Tahiti, Paris, London, Dublin, Meath, Kinsale, Doolin, Istanbul, Athens, Florence, Siena, Tuscany, Rome, Venice, Frankfort, Munich, Hanover, Hamburg, Berlin, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Geneva, Zurich, Interlaken, Bangkok, Jakarta, and across the Unites States. Carol had a love of fine food and drink, and she loved enjoying both with her friends during her travels. Her innate curiosity led her to explore the history of every place she went, and her passion for discovering family roots and connecting with relatives inspired her adventures and research, both at home and abroad. Carol was able to light up a room with the stories she shared and the knowledge she amassed over a lifetime of learning and exploration. She had run four marathons in Hawaii and enjoyed deer hunting, goose hunting, pheasant hunting and fishing in Northern Wisconsin and Canada’s Red Lake area. She garnered an interest in numerology over the years and was quick to share her knowledge with family and friends. Although she did not have the chance to go to Annapolis, which was one of her greatest laments, she took every opportunity to take a trip on open waters. She and Alan crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary three times, and each voyage brought more joy than the last. Most of all, she loved being able to experience the world with Alan. Together, they tracked down their ancestral homes, watched their favorite movies (especially High Road to China and A Wonderful Life), visited friends across the globe and explored the world around them. Despite her diagnosis of monochromatic leukodystrophy in December of 2017, Carol kept living life her way. She was a proud and determined woman who wouldn’t let her spark be dulled or her curiosity be quelled. She went on to take a trip around the world with Alan from Jan. 1, 2018 to Feb. 15, 2018 as a 70th birthday present that continued to fuel her passion for world history and exploration. She was an amazing person. Everyone she met and loved is a better person for having known and been able to share time with her. Carol is remembered by her beloved husband of over 31 years, Alan; step-son, Bryan Hembel Magnum; step-daughter, Sara (Jesse) Hembel Systma; step-grandchildren, Eli, Amelia and Elena; sister, Rosemary Wehner (Dave); nieces, Kelley (Chris) Reff, Katie (Jason) Reese, Dorothy (Kent) Johnson and Melanie; nephews, Nathan, Marcus, Quincy and David; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. Special thanks to the staffs of UW Home Health, SSM Home Health, UW Hospital ER, Gerontology and Urology Department, Agrace Palliative Care and Hospice Services, Sylvan Crossings at Chapel Valley and Sylvan Crossings of Fitchburg. Memorials in Carol’s memory may be made to the Madison Navy League, Attn: Rich Grooms, P.O. Box 258131, Madison, WI 53726 or to the Wisconsin Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 260050, Madison, WI 53726. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761