February 24, 1942, to July 28, 2023
Carolyn Eva (Thompson) Miner, born February 24, 1942, in Allegan, Michigan, passed away peacefully into the open arms of her Lord and Savior on July 28, 2023, with her husband, Donald L. Miner, by her side.
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, Marilyn, and now they are together again in heaven. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws,
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, admired to this day. 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 November 26, 1960, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They first lived in Dexter and then returned to Allegan and have been lifelong residents ever since, living in Don’s original 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. When they wintered in Florida, they would attend Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lakeland. Carolyn had many enjoyable years of teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
Carolyn would go on to work 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, completing over 20 projects and making numerous friends in the process. She felt this was the best thing they did in their retirement!
During their 62 years together, they raised a family of three boys, Dan (Becky),
Doug (Christine), and Darrell (Becky). 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. They taught their sons not only a myriad of life’s lessons and skills, but encouraged them to live their life in the Christian faith.
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.
Carolyn and Don 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. Carolyn adored her grandchildren, from the time they were little up to attending every extracurricular school event, graduation, and wedding. Grandma was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her next great grandchild (Baby Deweerdt) who will be born in December. Grandma wanted to see all of her grandchildren again in heaven, so much so that she left them each a note encouraging them to continue their life of faith so they can all be reunited in heaven.
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.