Carolyn Eva (Thompson) Miner, died Friday, July 28, in Allegan. She was 81.
Born Feb. 24, 1942, in Allegan, Carolyn was the youngest of six children born to Paul and Anna (Schafer) Thompson. Her siblings are Maxine (Carl) Sandahl, Bernice (Charles) Wentzel, Paul (Sara Lee) Thompson, Lawrence (Sharon) Thompson, and Marilyn (Jack) Sipple. Carl, Charles, Paul, and Sara Lee preceded her in death, as well as her twin sister.
She also was preceded in death by Leslie (Dorothy) Miner; her brother-in-law, Franklin (Delores) Kelly; her niece, Kathy (Sipple) Lane; and nephew, Ted Thompson.
Carolyn is survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces.
She grew up in Trowbridge Township, living on a dairy farm and participating in 4-H and Farm Bureau Service Club, where she learned and honed her homemaking skills. She kept their home immaculate and the cupboards full so she could always treat you to her delicious and always plentiful meals and desserts.
She was a talented seamstress and designer who could take any project and personalize it to her own style.
Carolyn graduated from Allegan High School and soon after married the love of her life, Don, on Nov. 26, 1960, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They first lived in Dexter and then returned to Allegan to Don’s childhood home.
They continued to be members of St. John’s where Carolyn was an active member of Ladies Aid before transferring to Peace Lutheran Church, and now have a church home at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dorr. Carolyn had many enjoyable years of teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
Carolyn worked at Allegan County Medical Care Community for 30 years as payroll and human resources manager before retiring in 2000. Upon retirement, Carolyn and Don enjoyed volunteering with Builders for Christ in many states.
During their 62 years together, they raised a family of three boys, Dan (Becky), Doug (Christine), and Darrell (Becky). Carolyn and Don also were blessed with five grandchildren, Nathan and Camden Miner, Kelsey (Nate) Deweerdt and Kayla (Aidan) Lloyd, and Mark Miner. They also welcomed with joy to their family Danielle (Sage) Phelps and her first great grandson, Rowan.
They are blessed with the memories of camping and sight-seeing trips and spending time at family gatherings, whether it was the annual Thompson Gun Lake gathering or the numerous weekends spent with her twin sister, Marilyn, and her family at the Sipple Farm.
Carolyn and Don enjoyed traveling around the United States from Alaska to Hawaii, cruising the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, and taking wonderful trips abroad to Switzerland, England, Italy, and France, and saving her favorite for last, Ireland.
There will be a visitation at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4125 – 18th Street, Dorr, Michigan, on August 7, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service starting at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Dave Rockhoff. Inurnment to follow at Miner Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
The family asks in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church to help support their children’s ministries.