Carol Lynn Flores

Carol Lynn Flores was a loving wife, mother, aunt, great-aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and a woman of strong faith. She passed away at home in Denver, CO surrounded by loved ones on January 22, 2024 at age 71.

Carol was born on May 28,1952 to Beverly Elaine Bowden and Lynn Gander in Stoughton, Wisconsin. She had five brothers and one sister.

After graduating from high school she enlisted in the Army where she was a surgical technician. While serving, she met her husband Donaciano (Don) Epifanio Flores in February 1973. They both came from large families and small towns, and were raised with family values and good work ethic.

They married on June 8, 1974 in Stoughton, Wisconsin. After the wedding, they moved to Colorado, where Don was from and had three daughters Kari Michelle, Kimberly Rose, and Kayla Sue. For close to 50 years Don and Carol have been best friends, talking and finishing each other’s sentences. Before they met, they each had prayed for the right mate. They were both looking for someone loyal and faithful, and their prayers were answered. They shared the same values, goals, and were a true team.

Carol was a woman of strong faith and conviction. She loved all of her family fervently and was a rock for her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was musically gifted, playing the clarinet in school. Later, she taught herself to play the guitar, drums, and cornet. She also played the organ. She was athletic and enjoyed playing baseball as a kid with her brothers and neighbors. As a young adult she played softball and was part of a bowling league. She was a strong woman who would move couches by herself and even beat up people if she needed to. She was skilled in knitting, making blankets, doll furniture, and other gifts for her family. She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in the evenings with Don. Carol was very technologically savvy. She was interested in genealogy, games (computer and video games), and would do many activities on her computer. She was an amazing cook; from making traditional Norwegian foods like lefse, sandbakkels, and krumkake, to venturing out to make homemade tortillas and chile rellenos.

She was very involved in the upbringing of her grandchildren. She spent their early years with them teaching them to crochet, knit, cross-stitch, cook, and filled their days with learning and activities. She homeschooled 7 of her 8 grandchildren. She also inspired them with her curiosity and love of technology, inspiring her grandson to fix and repair game systems and computers and even code his own satellite program. In contrast to many, her children often sought her out to help them with anything electronic/technology driven instead of the other way around.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Beverly Elaine Gander, father Lynn Gander and brother Jon Louis Gander.

Carol is survived by her husband Donaciano Epifanio Flores, her daughters Kari Michelle Mancillas, Kimberly Rose Serrano, and Kayla Sue Polhemus, her grandchildren Yesenia Miranda Mancillas, Ricardo Isaiah Mancillas, Alexandra Elizabeth Mancillas, Dakota Nicole Mancillas, Ariana Jenae Flores Clifton, Zaina Marie Clifton, Ezequiel Joaquin Epifano Mancillas, and Gabriella Josephine Polhemus, her great-grandchildren Micah Oliver Vizcarra, Laylah Isabella Vizcarra, Adelia-Sol Rose Garcia Mancillas, and Aziel Matene Garcia Mancillas, her sister Kristi Kay Rogers, and her brothers Gary Lee Gander, Ricky James Gander, Terry Allen Gander, and Timothy Scott Gander, and beloved dog Popcorn. All of whom love her and miss her dearly.

A funeral service for Carol will be held Friday, February 9, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229, followed by a graveside service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Serving as pallbearers are Joe Flores, Tom Flores, Ricky Gander, David Gander, Trent Gander, Ty Mall, Shawn Polhemus and Isaiah Mancillas.