Carol Lynette Coulter, 93, of Elgin, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023. She was born on February 28, 1930, to Sivert and Ellen Peterson in Marinette, Wisconsin. She graduated from Marinette High School and attended Bethel College, St. Paul, Minnesota. She received a BA in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshgosh. She taught kindergarten in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Ames, Iowa.
On June 26, 1954, Carol married the love of her life, Gordon Wallace Coulter, at Bethel Baptist Church in Marinette, Wisconsin. Gordon and Carol moved to several locations for Gordon’s education and work including Ames, Iowa; Kwajalein, The Marshall Islands; Whippany, New Jersey; El Paso, Texas; finally settling in Naperville, Illinois in 1965.
They raised three daughters: Leanne, Mary, and Lisa. Besides being a mom and homemaker, Carol had a servant’s heart quietly serving those she knew. She volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher (Central Baptist Church, Naperville, IL), in the Fairview Nursing Home Gift Shop (Downers Grove, IL) and as an election judge.
After Gordon’s retirement, she and Gordon moved from Naperville, Illinois, to La Crescent, Minnesota, in 1994, to be closer to their daughters’ families. While in La Crescent, they attended Bethany Evangelical Free Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They continued their volunteerism at Salvation Army Food Pantry and delivering Meals on Wheels.
Carol enjoyed sewing, playing piano, gardening, crafting, entertaining and sitting down with a hot cup of coffee while reading. She found great joy in spending time with her family especially her grandchildren, coffee groups, and vacationing near water. Carol’s sense of humor and piano skills flourished even into her 90s.
Surviving Carol are her daughters, Leanne (Steve) Carlson of Elgin, Iowa, (sons Peter (Taylor) Carlson and Mitchell Carlson); Mary (John) Bowman of Verona, Wisconsin, (sons Steven Bowman and Tim (Allyson) Bowman); and Lisa (Jon) Abrahamson of Lakeville, Minnesota (daughters Kelly (Aaron) Perez and their son Finnley and Whitney (Cody) Lubeley and their son Jack). Also surviving is her niece, Paula (Scott) Martin of Olathe, Kansas (sons Kris (Aileen) Martin and Brandon Martin).
Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Coulter on November 15, 2013; her parents, Sivert and Ellen Peterson; her Aunt, Esther Christensen; her sister, Marjory Dustman, and brother-in-law Jack Dustman.
A private celebration of life will be held for the family at a later date.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa, is assisting the family with arrangements.