Carol is the descendant of Finnish copper miners and strong women that immigrated to the United States during the copper boom.  Their faith in God, hard work and emphasis on education is a great legacy.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, Carol has worked as a labor/delivery nurse in hospitals in Michigan and Illinois.  She was certified as a Lamaze instructor and taught Lamaze classes for 18 years. From 1986 to 1988 she was board president of the northern Illinois chapter of ASPO/Lamaze.