Carrie is survived by the love of her life, her college sweetheart, Ervin. She was the loving mother of their four children, David (Melissa), John (Karin), Paul (Laurel), and Mark (Lori). Carrie has been blessed with twelve grandchildren. Carrie is preceded in death by her brother Elden, and her parents, Edward and Anna.
Carrie was born in Allison, Iowa in 1936 where she was baptized and confirmed. She received her B.A. in sociology (social work) from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA.
Carrie was united in Holy Matrimony to Ervin in 1957. She has been his devoted wife for 54 years. Carrie was a wonderful Christian example of what a wife and mother should be.
Carrie will always be remembered as having a true servant heart. She was at Ervin's side over a lifetime of ministry at five churches, serving as his faithful partner - Immanuel Lutheran Church (Lodgepole, NE), American Lutheran Church (Kankakee, IL), Living Christ Lutheran Church (Loves Park, IL), St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Gifford, IL), American Lutheran Church (Sun City, AZ).
Carrie was blessed with many talents, which she shared cheerfully. She was a gifted leader, directing the choir at Immanuel Lutheran as well as starting the Junior Choir at American Lutheran in Kankakee. Carrie formed a licensed preschool at Living Christ Lutheran. She was program director for Stephens Ministry at American Lutheran in Sun City and was president of the church's ALCW. She was a gifted musician, playing the flute in the college orchestra, playing both the organ and piano for church services, singing in the various church choirs and participating in the American Lutheran Church Bell Choir. She passed on her love for music to her family, with every child and grandchild having learned to play at least one instrument. Carrie was a gifted and tireless volunteer, serving on multiple church committees. She was involved in the Lutheran Thrift Shop in Sun City. Carrie was a gifted educator, participating in as well as leading many Bible studies. She loved teaching piano to her students .
Carrie was a humble and kind woman of strong values shaped by her faith in God, and a love of her family and friends. She was blessed with gifts of generosity and love. Her warm and inviting personality caused immediate connection with those she met. In word and deed throughout her life, Carrie espoused the Christian faith she held so dear. She had no greater joy than seeing her children and grandchildren embrace the Christian faith, making it their own, a legacy we will always cherish.
Contributions in her memory can be made in lieu of flowers to benefit Benevilla/Mary’s Place P.O. Box 8450, Surprise, AZ 85374 or Bell Choir Fund, American Lutheran Church of Sun City.
Special thank you to Carrie's church family at American Lutheran Church in Sun City, the loving staff at Mary's Place, the caring staff at the Health Care Center at the Forum at Desert Harbor, and the wonderful people at Hospice of the Valley. We rejoice that our wife, mother, grandmother is safe at home with our Savior and we joyfully await our blessed reunion in heaven. " A good wife is far more precious than jewels...her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her. Many women have done excellently, but you have surpassed them all." Proverbs 31.
Soli Deo Gloria
Arrangements under the direction of Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center, Sun City, AZ.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18