Carole Ann Bolin

Carole Bolin passed away peacefully at 67 years old on February 12, 2025 in Lansing, Michigan surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was born September 21, 1957 in St. Louis, Missouri, the second child of William and Jane Ann Sawyer.

Carole received her Bachelor’s degree and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University before pursuing graduate studies in pathology at Iowa State University where she received her M.S. and PhD degrees. She dedicated her professional life to animal disease research and diagnostics. Carole spent 18 years working at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa where she was a veterinary medical officer and Research Leader. She moved to Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 to be the Section Head of the Bacteriology Section in what is now the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She concluded her tenure at Michigan State as the Director of the laboratory. During her career, she received national and international recognition as an expert in the study of bacterial diseases of animals including tuberculosis and leptospirosis.

As passionate as she was about her work, she was also a dedicated mother to her four children and a devoted grandmother to her two beloved grandchildren. In Ames, Iowa, she was an elected member of the School Board. After moving to the Lansing area, Carole became a member of a local P.E.O. chapter. She also spent several years as a volunteer making baby hats and baby blankets for the Linus Foundation. Carole loved to bake especially many delectable varieties of cheesecake and Christmas cookies. Her family members will remember fondly her fierce intelligence, compassionate nature, and strength of will when it mattered most.

She is predeceased by her father William Sawyer, her mother Jane Ann Sawyer, and her older brother Dale Sawyer. Carole is survived by her husband of 43 years, Steven Bolin, and their four children, Christopher Bolin of Nottingham, NH, Matthew Bolin of Okemos, MI, Sarah Warren and her husband Joseph Warren of Williamston, MI, and Kelsey Bolin of Forest, VA as well as her two grandchildren, William Warren and Molly Warren of Williamston, MI.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carole's memory may be made to the charity of your choice.