Carolyn J Whitlock

Carolyn Joyce Whitlock, 88, of Jewell, IA died at the Hubbard Care Center on Saturday, October 9, 2021. A Memorial service will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell on Sunday, October 17 at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service at the church. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with the services.

Carolyn, the youngest of seven children, was born August 13, 1933, in Jackson, MN to Edward and Bella Egertson. She attended Waldorf College in Forest City, IA where she received her teaching degree and sang and soloed with the college choir. After graduation she began teaching 6th grade in the Jewell Schools where later she met her future husband, Max. She retired after 40 years with South Hamilton Schools. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, wife, and dedicated member of the Bethesda Church choir.

Carolyn and Max met at a faculty Christmas party. When she was the featured soloist on “O Holy Night”, Max turned to a friend and asked, “Who is that singing? I need to meet her!” And that’s where their story began. They married on June 24, 1956, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell where they remained faithful members. Due to Max’s vision impairment, Carolyn was always by his side as she supported his life’s calling as a music educator, all the while, she pursued her own calling to be an educator, homemaker, and Max’s helpmate. Family time together was full of laughter, good food, camping trips and visiting family in the summer.

In retirement Carolyn and Max enjoyed traveling with friends to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas. She continued to sing in the church choir and volunteered as a reading helper at the elementary school.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Bella Egertson; her husband, Max; and her siblings, Don, Vernon, Betty, Arlene, and Ken.

She is survived by her three children, Mark (Mary), Julie Heeren (Rich), Ross (Lois); grandchildren, Jason Heeren, Jennifer Arnold (Travis), Samantha Hudson (Paul), Macaulley Whitlock, Meredith Whitlock, Hannah Keefe (Dylan), Amanda Loncar (Steven), David Whitlock, and Mayson Whitlock; great-grandchildren, Anna and Rylan Heeren, Henry and Hayden Arnold, Camden and Rowenna Hudson; and her sister, Gladys Lee (Howard).

Memorials can be given to Bethesda Lutheran Church to support the music ministry.