WILL, Carol Ann (Patterson) 1938-2019

WILL, PATTERSON

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 8/12/2019 at 17:49:28

Carol Ann Will

Carol A. Will, 81, of the Western Home in Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away from cancer on Thursday, August 8, 2019. She went peacefully, surrounded by the gratitude and love of her family.

She was born in Minneapolis, MN. on May 30, 1938, to Paul Mark and Dorothy Patterson. She and her family moved from Minneapolis to Duluth, MN., Atlanta, GA., Cleveland, OH. and finally St. Louis, MO.

While in nursing school, Carol married Earl Will in St. Louis, MO. Together they raised four biological children and they cared for more than forty foster children in their home, first in Ft. Madison, then in Keokuk, IA.

After retirement, they lived for ten years in Borrego Springs, CA before moving to Cedar Falls. A devoted wife, Carol took loving care of Earl, sacrificing her own pursuits until his death.

Carol earned her ADN, RN, BSN and later her Master of Arts in Gerontologic Nursing from Western Illinois University. She worked as a nurse for hospitals in St. Louis, Ft. Madison, and Keokuk.

She was a private care manager for patients in the Keokuk area and she was a presenter for continuing education programs for nurses all over the Midwest. Carol co-authored two books on senior activities. She and Earl were very active over the years in churches and were enthusiastic fans of symphonies wherever they lived. Carol was well-known for her adventursome spirit, her strength, and her graceful practicality under any of life’s adversities.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband and a daughter-in-law, Donna.

She is survived by her son Jeffrey (Vickie) of Mechanicsville, VA, daughters Susan (Tom) Whitson of Niota, IL, Linda (Kirk) Schwerzler of Shelton, WA, Sharon (Clark) Porter of Waterloo, IA, and her sister Nancy (William) Dennager of Warrenton, MO. She had twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Parrott and Wood is in charge of cremation. A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, August 10 at 2:00 at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Choir or the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony. Carol was one of their biggest champions.

SOURCE: Parrott and Wood Funeral Service