Carol Jean Hemken

Carol was born on February 5, 1934 on a farm in Sherman County, Kansas to Rose and Fred Nothdurft. She grew up in St. Francis and near Bird City, Kansas. She was a gifted musician, hopping on the mail train to get to her piano lessons and playing the organ for church beginning in high school. She attended Wartburg College in Iowa where she met the love of her life, Lowell Hemken. They wed on December 29, 1954, and she joined Lowell at seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. They moved as Lowell served parishes in Nevada, Missouri; St. Paul, Nebraska; Thornton, Colorado; and Ft. Collins, Colorado. Along the way they had four daughters and adopted a son from Alaska. Carol was integral to the ministries in these churches, serving multiple roles in music and many other areas, as well as raising her five children and running a piano teaching studio in her home. She was an indefatigable worker, gardening, canning, sewing, and camping across the country with her family. Together, she and Lowell fulfilled their dream of buying property in the mountains and designing and building a home with family members. This home has been a cornerstone of family life for many years, with countless card games and meals shared around the table. Carol selflessly cared for Lowell through his struggle and decline with MS. Carol continued serving the church after Lowell’s death in 2017, spearheading the tiny food pantry and ADA accessibility in her congregation.

Carol was a great example of unflagging determination, fierce love for her family, and faithfulness to her Lord. She was known for her lists of things to do, having fun with games, getting ALL family members together, her love of music, fantastic organization, enjoyment of our Colorado mountains, and her daily prayers for those she loved. What a life well-lived!

Carol is survived by her four daughters: Cheryl (Randy) Hoke, Christine (Frank) Gibbard, Charissa (Erik) Simmons, and Cathryn (Ken) McVearry; nine grandchildren: Bethany, Lisa (James), Ariana, Ericka, Gregory, Emily, Ailis, Abigail, and Alec; her sister Sharon (Ken) and brother-in-law Howard; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Lowell, siblings Marsha and Douglas, son Lee, and grandchild Andrew.

A Celebration of Life will be held on at 11 a.m., August 2, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Start Street, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Donations in Carol’s name may be made to her favorite charities: Lutheran World Relief, Trinity Lutheran Church (Fort Collins), or Haven Religious (Carol’s granddaughter’s ministry in Connecticut).