Carolyn Tanis

Carolyn Tanis was born on January 23, 1942, to Matt and Johanna Vander Sys in Bellflower, California. Carolyn was welcomed to the family by her two older sisters, Rika and Janet. In 1950, the family moved to Dairy Valley (Cerritos) where Carolyn spent her growing up years. The family joined Bethany CRC and Carolyn attended Bellflower Christian School. Carolyn was a great help to her dad on the dairy and learned to drive tractor, clean the milk tank, and whatever other chores needed to be done. Fun things on the daily included teaching her friends how to drive in the hay alley and driving fast up and down the gravel driveway in her dad’s 1956 Ford pick-up truck. Carolyn graduated from Valley Christian High School in 1959, this was the first class to graduate from the Cerritos campus. Carolyn and Merf started dating in 1962 and were married in 1963. They settled on Alburtis Street in Artesia where Carolyn worked at Pioneer Hospital for several years. She enjoyed caring for people in this way. Merf and Carolyn welcomed Jim in 1965. The young family moved to Lakewood in 1967 and shortly after welcomed Dave in 1968 and Jana in 1972. Pearce Avenue became an important part of their lives and remained their home until she was called to heaven on May 10. On this street, neighbors became family, and many relationships were built from sidewalks to the front porch.

Carolyn loved to serve others and did so with a joyful and willing heart. She was quick to invite someone to dinner, bring a meal, or offer a ride. 5-day clubs, Calvinettes, Vacation Bible School, Sunday school singing and teaching were areas where Carolyn loved to serve. Some of you may still remember the catchy Bible school songs she taught you!

In 1977, Valley Christian needed school bus drivers, so Carolyn decided to help. She drove school bus for 21 years and used those miles on the road to build relationships with many students. She was known to help students study their spelling words and even stopped for an occasional ice cream treat.

The addition of Cindy, Tricia, and John added to the joy and blessing of the family, and she loved them as her own. Carolyn was grandma and friend to 10 grandkids and faithfully maintained relationships with them. She was always interested in knowing what they were up to and how she could support them. She prayed faithfully for them and was a foundational influence on each one as she invested in their faith. She modeled her love for Jesus and others in countless ways. In recent years she became a great-grandma three times and loved being a part of their lives too.

Carolyn loved to adventure and annual camping trips to Yosemite and the Colorado River were always family highlights. In later years, Merf and Carolyn loved taking trips in their van to various places across the country. No trip was too long for her! A favorite was their drive up the Dalton Highway in Alaska on their way to the Arctic circle.

Bethany CRC was a big part of Carolyn’s life. She was a member for over 70 years! She made profession of faith, was married, and brought three children forward for baptism within the walls of this special place. Her church family brought her much joy. She loved serving and loved the Bethany family deeply.

Carolyn shined the light of Jesus wherever she went. Her smile and warmth lit up a room and filled it with warmth and joy. In recent years, it was the clinics, labs, and day hospital at Norris Cancer Center where she received her treatment. She soon became friends with the team that so faithfully cared for her during these last 2 1/2 years. She was grateful and confident and faced each part of her treatment with courage and grace.