1938
Carol
2021
Carol Jean Boedeker
May 3, 1938 — January 11, 2021
Thank you, Carol Jean Boedeker (5/3/1938-1/11/2021), for showing us how to live an unapologetic and generous life. Though we couldn’t keep you here with us, “goodbye is not forever; it is not the end. It simply means we’ll miss you, until we meet again.” After suffering a debilitating stroke, Carol’s last days were spent at home with her beloved sister, Maureen, by her side. The stories and memories that so many family members and friends shared this past week (both in person and by phone) brought smiles and laughs to her face. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Boedeker and Anna Zielinski, and siblings Norbert, Wilbur (Bill), Robert, Clarence (Red), Anna Mae, Paul, Eugene (Gene), Jack, and Roy. She is survived by her sisters, Claire Androlewicz and Maureen Chrum, and her sisters-in-law Bonny (Gene) Boedeker and Phyllis (Roy) Steins, as well as multitudes of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The perfect juxtaposition of a world traveler and a homebody, Carol was a vivacious and independent soul. Her genuine laugh and smile were contagious, and she put both to good use when hosting troops at the USO in St. Louis. She enjoyed traveling to experience new sights, sounds, and tastes, so much that she headed to San Francisco as a young, single woman. Once back in St. Louis, she worked with her brother-in-law at the St. Louis Job Corps Center. Never to be still for too long, she later found a partner and started and grew a bicycle business. Carol also recognized the benefits of self-care before it became trendy: she appreciated an afternoon sweet treat, followed by a read and a nap. Knowing how important it was to be true to herself, she did what she felt was right, even if it went against the grain. She was a role model to all of us, the type of person that everyone should have the privilege of knowing.
Carol had no children of her own, but she created indelible memories for so many of her nieces and nephews. Ordinary days became special occasions simply because she was there. She loved each and every one of us unconditionally. She encouraged us to try new things, and was always a willing participant. We considered ourselves very blessed whenever we were the recipient of an “Aunt Carol Day”!
There will be no memorial service for Carol at this time. But if you knew her, you knew that one of the main tenets in her life was, “No event is complete without good food and company.” In keeping with that theme, there will be a celebration of her life - complete with good food and good company! - at a later date, still to be determined by the CDC. :)
Memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s honor to a charity or cause that is close to your heart.
The perfect juxtaposition of a world traveler and a homebody, Carol was a vivacious and independent soul. Her genuine laugh and smile were contagious, and she put both to good use when hosting troops at the USO in St. Louis. She enjoyed traveling to experience new sights, sounds, and tastes, so much that she headed to San Francisco as a young, single woman. Once back in St. Louis, she worked with her brother-in-law at the St. Louis Job Corps Center. Never to be still for too long, she later found a partner and started and grew a bicycle business. Carol also recognized the benefits of self-care before it became trendy: she appreciated an afternoon sweet treat, followed by a read and a nap. Knowing how important it was to be true to herself, she did what she felt was right, even if it went against the grain. She was a role model to all of us, the type of person that everyone should have the privilege of knowing.
Carol had no children of her own, but she created indelible memories for so many of her nieces and nephews. Ordinary days became special occasions simply because she was there. She loved each and every one of us unconditionally. She encouraged us to try new things, and was always a willing participant. We considered ourselves very blessed whenever we were the recipient of an “Aunt Carol Day”!
There will be no memorial service for Carol at this time. But if you knew her, you knew that one of the main tenets in her life was, “No event is complete without good food and company.” In keeping with that theme, there will be a celebration of her life - complete with good food and good company! - at a later date, still to be determined by the CDC. :)
Memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s honor to a charity or cause that is close to your heart.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carol Jean Boedeker, please visit our flower store.
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