Carol Wilkins

FUNERAL SERVICES : Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, August 4, 2011.INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MNSURVIVORS : Her two half-sisters, Enid Sanford of Edinburgh, Texas and Naidine Sanderlin (Ed) of Mascoutah, Illinois, her three children and seven grandchildren. CAROL LAVONNE WILKINSJune 19, 1922 ~ July 19, 2011 On July 19, 2011, Carol Wilkins, a resident of Renton, Wash., passed away surrounded by her loving family. She was 89. Carol was born Carol Lavonne Sanford on June 19, 1922, to Dewey and Ena Sanford on her uncle's farm in Badoura Township in Minnesota. She was raised by her uncle and aunt, Peter and Susan Arrowood. Carol graduated from Nevis High School in Nevis, Minn. She went on to complete two years of teachers training and taught for a couple years in a small, one-room school house in Hubbard, Minn. In the spring of 1944, Carol's childhood sweetheart Jim Wilkins sent word to her that Seattle in Washington was a beautiful place and that she should come. So, soon she made her way westward. On March 21, 1945, Carol married Jim at the Lutheran church in downtown Renton. They made their home in Renton where they raised three children: son Jim (Jamie) Wilkins of Olympia, Wash., daughter Mary Sue Fickes (John) of Moses Lake, Wash., and daughter Judy Schreiner (Mike) of Kent, Wash. While raising her family, Carol worked for 30 years at the Washington State Employment Security Department. She retired in 1981. Carol valued her faith in Jesus Christ. She was a founding member of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Renton. She taught Sunday school there for many years and was very active in the church. In addition to her faith, Carol also enjoyed time spent with family. Her greatest joys in life were here husband Jim of 63 years, her three children and her seven grandchildren. Carol and Jim enjoyed spending the summer months in Minnesota, always making a trip back east at least once a year. During the past two years of her life, Carol made her home at the Lodge at Eagle Ridge in Renton. She made many friends there, treating everyone with kindness. Carol is survived by her two half-sisters, Enid Sanford of Edinburgh, Texas and Naidine Sanderlin (Ed) of Mascoutah, Illinois, her three children and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim. All who knew and loved Carol will miss her dearly.