Carol Ann (Lee) Varnau |
| Posted 2025-03-02 by Pat R |
| Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, January 15, 2025, p. A-6 With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Carol Ann (Lee) Varnau, 85, on Dec. 24, 2024. A spirited traveler, music lover, (cheating) card player, generous friend, loyal sister, and loving matriarch, she departed this world surrounded by the people who cherished her most. It was--perhaps--the first day of her adult life that she did not have on her trademark earrings, lipstick, and gold sunglasses. Born and raised in Kokomo, Ind., with her siblings George Lee, Ron Lee, and Linda (Linson) Lee, Carol enjoyed playing softball, traveling, and learning homemaking skills from her loving mother, Roxie Lee. Carol and her first husband, Larry Cardwell, raised four daughters, Laura Applegate, Lisa Martin, Lynette Kircher, and Libby Lawrence. They also took care of many barnyard animals including pigs, 72 chickens, and their daughters' high school friends. Carol worked at Delco for many years, while also working as a part-time cosmetologist. Carol enjoyed styling hair "for old people" (her words) at various nursing homes in Kokomo. Rather than slowing down after retiring from Delco, Carol and her second husband, Wilbur Varnau, moved to the top of a mountain in Arizona, where they continued to build a life filled with laughter, grandchildren, friends, cards, and sunshine. They eventually settled in Wickenburg, where Carol was active in art club, pottery making, crafting jewelry, and hosting the neighborhood 4:00 meeting, to which pets would bring their owners. Whether you encountered Carol as a kind volunteer at your school library, as an adventurous new neighbor driving a 4-wheeler up the side of a mountain, as a cheating euchre partner, or as a glamorous lady in traffic driving a cherry-red pick-up truck with the windows down and Elvis on the speakers, you undoubtedly have fond memories of her. Carol is survived by her sister, Linda Lee (Linson); her brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Rena Lee; daughters, Lisa (Cardwell) Martin and Lynette (Cardwell) Kircher and husband Daryl Kircher; Carol's 13 grandchildren who will miss her fiercely, Joshua Cardwell, Eric Lawrence (Krystal Jones), Austin Lawrence (Samantha Stansberry), Kyle Applegate (wife Amanda), Audreyalice Warner (husband Paul), Elizabeth Coutu (husband Joe), Patrick Martin (wife Taylor), Jacob Martin, Katie Martin, Kristy Kircher (husband Jeremiah), Jamie Terrell (husband Jason), Lindsey Kircher (Corey Ferguson) and Chad Kircher (wife Hannah); and amazingly, 23 great-grandchildren who loved her dearly, even if they could not agree on whether she should be called "Granny" or "Gigi". Carol also leaves behind her beloved friend and neighbor, Rhoda VanErstvelde. Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her brother, Roger Lee; and her daughters, Libby Lawrence and Laura Applegate. A celebration of life for Carol was held on Jan. 12, 2025, in Fountain City, Ind. It was Carol's sincere wish that no one wear black to her funeral, so everyone followed her rules and wore bright colors. Carol's favorites were red, purple, and animal print. In our continued pursuit to honor Carol's wishes, we listened to Elvis and told funny stories as we remembered our beloved friend, mom, sister, neighbor, and grandma. If you would like to honor Carol's amazing life, you could make a donation to the Indiana University Foundation, Inc., with a note that the funds be used for the benefit of the "Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center." Or you could support PEO International. PEO is a Sisterhood of women who are purposeful and passionate about celebrating, supporting and motivating other women. Carol was an active member of their Wickenburg Chapter. Passionate, supportive, and celebratory...sure sounds like Carol, doesn't it? |
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