Sylvia Caroline Feustel, 103, of Gladbrook and formerly of Chelsea, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Westbrook Acres Care Facility in Gladbrook under the care of Hospice Compassus. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 11:30 AM at St. Cyprian, River Grove, IL. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 10:30 until the time of Mass at the church. A Private Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, IL.

Sylvia was born on November 13, 1920, in Warrens, WI, the daughter of Archibald and Lydia (Seflow) Abbott.

She walked to country school with her siblings and was promoted to fourth grade skipping third grade, graduating from Tomah High School at age sixteen.

Sylvia moved to Chicago to work as a secretary.

On July 31, 1943, she was united in marriage to John Feustel at St. Celestine Church Rectory in Elmwood Park, IL. They made their home in Chicago, River Grove, then Elmwood Park, IL, raising two children. Sylvia became very involved in the church community of St. Cyprian serving as secretary nearly twenty-five years. She was a playwright and performer for the yearly St. Cyprian Fiesta, and was soloist for weddings and funerals.

The couple retired to rural Chelsea, Iowa in 1984. Sylvia loved cooking for family gatherings especially being with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always competitive, they shared the Sunday newspaper crossword puzzle and did so for at least forty years. Sylvia loved card games, gardening, canning, picking berries and gave forever homes to several cats and dogs and beloved parrot Oliver.

After fifty-nine years of marriage, John passed away March 16, 2003. After that, she was cared for by her daughter Bunny until moving to Westbrook Acres on May 21, 2018, where she passed exactly five years to the day that she entered.

Survivors include son, Robert (Gail) Feustel of Tavares, FL; daughter, Barbara (Duane) Cibula of Chelsea; nine grandchildren, Craig Sannebeck, Charisse Fuqua, John (Paula) Feustel, Michael Feustel (Sue Feustel), Christine (Eric) Danielson, Dr. Charles Cibula (Hillary Bruns), Christian (Lisa) Cibula, Michael (Kylee) Cibula, Carolyn Cibula (Jonathan Knutsen); sixteen great-grandchildren, Hanna, Jerret, Jaedyn, Jensyn, Jesse (Mia), Sydney, Mia Mya, Syrena, Zachary, Brynn, Kellan, Cameryn, Rowan, Hadley, Hayden and Declan; sister, Betty Roscovius; sister-in-law, Theresa Abbott; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, John; sisters and brothers-in-law, Louise (Bill) Payne, Vivian (Leroy) Gilson, June (Jack) McFarland, Ruth (Bernard) Stodola and Melvin Roscovius; brothers, William and Charles Abbott; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clarence (Barbara) Abbott, and Donald (Muriel) Abbott.

Memorials may be directed to the Tama County Humane Society or St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama.