Obituary of Carol Rakita Arenberg

Carol Rakita Arenberg passed away on January 7, 2023 of Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was born Carol Ann Rakita on August 27, 1943 to Nathan and Lilian Rakita, née Saxe. She married Irving Kaufman Arenberg on May 31, 1963 (divorced in June of 1990). She partnered with John Burdick in 2004 and they remained together until her passing. 

She is survived by her loving partner John, her 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Her children: Daniel Arenberg (55), married to Diane Krieger Arenberg, and children Zachary (20), Joel (18), and Mitch (15); Michael Arenberg (53), married to Gail Patrice Arenberg, and children Jacob (24), Nicholas (23), and Alison (19); and Julie Arenberg (50), married to Steven Bierer (divorced in 2017) and their son Nathan Bierer (14).

Carol obtained her bachelor’s in English Literature and master’s in Comparative Literature, both degrees from the University of Michigan (1963 and 1965, respectively, go blue!) and her PhD from Washington University in comparative literature in 1979.  The title of her dissertation was “The double as an initiation rite: A study of Chamisso, Hoffman, Poe, and Dostoevsky”. She had many interesting jobs in Washington, DC, and ultimately, retired as the Managing Editor at the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering.  She loved reading, crossword puzzles, traveling, hiking, art, classical music, and most of all spending time with her family. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her, including her partner, children and grandchildren. We hope that she is at peace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org.

There will be a graveside ceremony on Friday, January 13th at 11:45 AM MT, at Emanuel Cemetery 430 S. Quebec St., Denver, CO 80247.  For those who wish to attend virtually, please use the following link.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81928690273?pwd=UHZONStIbzZpQjR0WWphaW14L0xrUT09

Meeting ID: 819 2869 0273

Passcode: 980525

For those attending in person, a lunch will follow at Zaidy’s Deli and Bakery at 600 S. Holly St. Suite 114, Denver, CO 80246