Obituary of Carol Rebecca Schmelzel

Carol Rebecca Schmelzel peacefully passed away on Monday morning June 19, 2023. She was 92 years old. Carol’s life was full of blessings. She was born on a farm near Galchutt, ND on July 8, 1930. She grew up in Fargo, where she attended elementary through high school. She then attended North Dakota Agriculture College (North Dakota State University) where she earned a Bachelors Degree and found a deep passion for teaching and home economics. She was also a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Following graduation, she moved to Casper, WY where she became a teacher of Home Economics at Natrona County High School. Beyond her career as a teacher, she was also an accomplished author in the field of home economics. She was a member of Colorado Authors League and a consultant for Nasco Educational Products. She received many awards for the educational books and games she created during her career.

She met and married her husband, Walt, in Casper, WY in 1954. In 1968, Carol and Walt moved their family to Lakewood, CO. They enjoyed 58 years together before his passing in 2008. They loved entertaining, dancing, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and participating in events at the Elks club where they were members. They also actively participated in their Lutheran faith, and were members of Holy Shepard Lutheran Church in Lakewood, CO.

Carol loved sewing unique projects and dishing out culinary creations. She especially treasured sharing these skills with those closest to her. Carol passed her skills onto her children and grandchildren through teaching them cooking, sewing, and crafting. Her creativity lives on in each of them. She will be missed by her family and friends.

Carol is survived by her sons Kurt (Jeri) Schmelzel and John Schmelzel, her grandchildren Bex Schmelzel and Lee Schmelzel, and her niece Laura Marshall(Rob), as well as many other cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Walt Schmelzel, parents Clara Sether and Reuben Sether, and her brother Irving Sether.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, August 13th, 2023 at 2pm at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 920 Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80215.  Reception to follow the service at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, 455 Sherman St, #500, Denver, CO 80203. (Please write ‘Carol Schmelzel’ on the memo line.)