Carolyn Joann Elder was born in Lakeview, Oregon on Feb. 21, 1937 to Beatrice and Carroll Blaser. Her siblings were Amy, Gloria and James. Carolyn was the second youngest. She is survived only by James. Her family later relocated to Red Bluff, California and Carolyn graduated from Red Bluff High School in 1955. She attended Bethel Temple Church in Red Bluff, when she met Edwin at age 18. Edwin's sister, Peggy Nay seemed to have a hand in their dating, as Edwin would fly his airplane to Peggy's home in Gerber, and take friends and family for airplane rides. He landed his plane in their pasture, which was exciting for the cows! Edwin was in the US Navy, but after meeting Carolyn, he knew he wanted to marry her and settle down, so they were married on July 24, 1956, in Skagit, Washington. She was 19 and he was 27. Edwin's job as an Aviation Safety Officer led him from living in Everett, Washington, to Cleveland, Ohio for several years, then a transfer back to Portland, Oregon, where they remained until the present.
Carolyn had several secretarial jobs for different agencies for many years. After settling into their nice home in Beaverton, Carolyn became involved in St. Matthew Lutheran Church, and hosted many lovely dinners for a number of missionaries, neighbors, church and family friends over many decades. She was an incredible hostess and always a gracious woman of God.
Carolyn worked at the Neighborhood Election precinct at every election, back when we all voted in person. She and Edwin were also greeters’ at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Both of them presented a very warm, welcoming smile and personality to everyone they met.
Carolyn was very active in the women ministries at her church as well. She participated and helped plan the annual women’s tea. She was a member of Women’s Bible Study Fellowship. Carolyn also belonged to another women’s group called Emmaus. The group met faithfully every week to pray for the church.
Some of Carolyn’s favorite things are: the color blue, and anything that was blue and white poke a dots. She put Tabasco on just about everything she ate. She loved to laugh, and enjoyed a great sense of humor. She wasn’t much for watching television, but she never missed Mash, or the 700 club.
This very graceful, beautiful, joyfilled woman of God will be remembered and so missed by many of us!!
A committal service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery for family and close friends.
Please share condolences and stories with the family at www.FinleySunsetHills.com
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