Carolyn L Kolbe

June 10, 1925 – Sept. 8, 2013

Cary, 88 of Castle Rock passed away into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior at the Life Care Center of Stonegate in Parker, CO after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Kolbe of Castle Rock, 5 daughters, Jean Zimmerman & Judy Crenshaw both of Castle Rock, Lynn Englen of Warwick, MA., Roxanne Geerdes of Franktown, and Susan Reimann of Aurora.

Cary was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred Wheeler and Darlene Jones, two brothers, Donald Berner and Jim Berner and survived by one sister Lorna Wray of Grimes, IA. She was also preceded in death by two son-in-laws, Phil Englen of Myrtle, MO and Kenny Zimmerman of Castle Rock.

Cary is survived by a host of loving family, 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

She was born in Rockwell City, IA to Edward Theodore Berner and Ethel (Evelyn) Wharton Berner. Bob and Cary married July 9, 1945 and celebrated their 68th anniversary this year. They moved from Iowa to Castle Rock in 1961 with 5 girls and were very committed to the community of 1,500 people.

Cary worked at the Illinois Central Rail Road as a Depot Agent in Iowa, and later in Castle Rock for the Mountain Bell Telephone Company as a receptionist. She kept her slim figure by walking to the telephone company up and down grade school hill morning, noon and night. Her neighbors could set their clock to the slam of the screen door as Cary left exactly 5 minutes before her shift each day.

Bob and Cary started Kolbe Construction in 1961 where they worked together to create a successful custom home building business and in the 80’s started Kolbe Striping.

Cary carried an 18 handicap in golf, out drove Bob on a regular basis, made 2 hole in 1’s, loved to win women’s golf tournaments and traveled extensively golfing at the Potato Pickers Tournaments. Their second home in Green Valley, Arizona was their golf haven for 25 years.

Cary was a woman of many talents. She loved to sew, made most of her 5 girls clothing as they grew up, created quilts for of her children and grandchildren including a stunning, one of a kind “hankie quilt”4 made from her mother’s handkerchiefs. She created 3 wedding dresses starting with her sister Lorna and daughters Susan and Roxy. She also loved to cook and throw parties with the finest dishes and linen. Her Banana Cream Pies were made from scratch and melted in your mouth.

Antiques were another passion of hers as she opened an antique store across from the Reyn Rock apartments on Perry Street. She could never bring herself to sell the beautiful antiques she purchased for the store as she loved every one of them. She also loved fine clothing, See’s Candy, but most of all, spending time with her family. Her great grandson spent his time on weekends teaching her games on his Dad’s iPhone… little did he know she didn’t pay any attention, but focused more on holding him tight. She gave the same treatment to each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren – loving them unconditionally. One favorite memory of hers was teaching her daughters how to sing in harmony to “the Old Rugged Cross”.

She was a member of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church from the day they arrived to Castle Rock in 1961 and was a life time member of the Republican Party.

Cary was the greatest Mom ever and was a proud, strong, loving woman who will be forever missed.

The memorial service and interment is Sept. 19 at the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. In Lieu of flowers, contribution’s may be made to the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Building fund, 750 Cantril St., Castle Rock, CO 80104