Carol Elaine Paben Tesch was born on October 13, 1946 in Navasota, Texas and left this life on November 10, 2021 at the age of 75.  She was the third daughter of Carl B. and Velma E. Wilpitz Paben.  She was raised in a boisterous family of six children and spent most of her life in Waller, Texas. Graduating from Waller High School in 1964, she worked in Houston for a few years before marrying and settling down again in Waller County.

She met her partner in life, Paul H. Tesch, while she was in High School, but they did not marry until December 10, 1966 after he returned from Vietnam.  They were married for over 54 years and raised two daughters and a whole host of "adopted" children. She never met a stranger and treated everyone like they were family.

Carol worked in the insurance business for over 35 years but ended her working career at Waller ISD in the transportation department. She lived every day with a grateful heart, and her faith and love of life showed through and touched everyone she came in contact with. Nothing ever seemed to dim her smile or her laugh. She was one tough cookie and a model of resilience. A medical miracle, according to many of her doctors and nurses who have treated her over the years. She defeated colon cancer in the early 90s and several years later she successfully received a liver transplant. With a new liver, Carol went on to live a full and active life for another 2 decades - sharing her joy, her laughter, and her faith with others.

Carol's life revolved around the four F's - Faith, Family, Friends, and Food. She was an active member of St John's Lutheran Church of Waller, Texas for all her life. As a youth member, she helped break ground on the foundation of the original education building. She served as a Sunday School teacher, a council member, and sang in the choir for many years.  She was very involved in Women's Club of Waller, Meals on Wheels, and anything to promote awareness of colon cancer and organ donation as well.

Paul and Carol's house was like Grand Central Station. The door was rarely locked and anyone was welcome to come in and stay awhile. Many a school kids hung out at the Tesch house before and after school. After their girls grew up and left, the extra bedrooms served as home to those who might need a place to stay - be it a few days to a few years. Like when her Mom, Velma, just showed up one day with her suitcase in hand and said she was moving in…All Carol said was, "alright, come on in and let's get you unpacked".

Food was Carol's love language. At an early age in life, she learned to cook for the entire family and she never knew how to make a "small" meal. Her well known German chocolate cake, apple pie, mac and cheese, fruit cake, or BBQ sauce will be difficult to replicate. Her German Chocolate Cake was famous in Waller County and helped raise thousands of dollars for many worthy causes. Many of St. John's youth will remember her for her good food she'd make when they were at the Tesch lake house for youth retreats at Lake Somerville.

She loved her family, which was everyone whether you were blood-related or not. Carol enjoyed children and was instrumental in raising many of her nieces and nephews, her three grandchildren, and countless other "adopted" children and grandchildren. Carol claimed her hobbies were talking and laughing.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Velma Paben; sisters Lois Paben and Emma "Lou" Wawarofsky; and her husband Paul.  She is survived by her daughter Tammy A. Cortes and husband Herb; daughter Tracey L. Faske and husband Mark; grandchildren Adam, Andrew and Addison Faske; brother Carl D. Paben and wife Sue; brother Tom L. Paben and wife Dianne; sister Thelma G. Paben and husband Mike Newton; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Carol once said, "we should all LIVE and then GIVE back, because God is great, and He blesses all of us even when we are not aware of it".  She did that. She lived life to the fullest, gave everything she had, and we are truly blessed to have called her sister, mother, aunt, and friend.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday November 14, 2021 from 5 to 7 pm at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1613 Key St, Waller, TX 77484. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday November 15, 2021 at 10 am at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1613 Key St, Waller, TX 77484. A luncheon will follow at The Family Life Center, Waller Baptist Church, 2520 Cherry St, Waller, TX 77484.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donation be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Lutherhill Ministries, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation or the American Cancer Society (Waller Relay for Life).

Carol is in the care of Canon Funeral Home.