Carol A Stratton

Carol was born on July 12, 1936, joining her parents, Howard and Helen Cool, and older sister Corrine (Connie). Carol was one of the lucky few to live her entire life in Colorado Springs. The family lived on South Cascade Avenue until moving into the house her father built on West Platte Avenue. She attended school at St. Mary’s beginning in first grade until her graduation from the high school in 1954.

During her senior year of high school, she met a young air policeman, fell in love and married Neal Jennings Stratton on November 6, 1954. The couple purchased a home on Lark Drive, Neal joined the Colorado Springs Police Department and they started their family. Brad was born in September 1955, Donna in January 1958, and Dale on Christmas Day of 1959. In 1965, the family moved to their new home on Keaton Lane in Rustic Hills, where Carol lived until she moved to assisted living last March.

In 1961, Carol started working at First National Bank, beginning in the “Bank-By-Mail” department. She also worked in “Collections” and later in the safe deposit area. She survived the change to Affiliated National Bank and the takeover by Bank One, and hoped to work until she turned 65. But then, in 1995, the bank eliminated her position and forced her into an early retirement. It didn’t take long for her to adjust and enjoy being retired.

Of course, her number one love was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carol also loved spending time with friends. She enjoyed lunches with her high school alumni group and with her friends from the bank. She and Neal also enjoyed Friday Happy Hours and dinners with friends at the Colorado Springs Country Club. After retiring, Carol and Neal enjoyed their road trips to visit friends and family.

After almost 64 years of marriage, Neal passed away in 2018. Also preceding Carol in death are her sister Corrine (Connie) Dahl and Carol’s son-in-law William (Billy) Holstein.

Carol is survived by her three children, daughters-in-law Mary Stratton, Wendi Grba, and Cindi Allmendinger, and five grandchildren, Ryan Stratton, Melissa Ryerson and her husband Rob, Erin Cheng and her husband Johnny, Matthew Stratton, and Taylor Stratton and her husband Michell Fenton. Carol was also very lucky to get to spend time with her four great-grandchildren, Levi and Hadley Cheng and Cooper and Tate Ryerson.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 starting at 11:00 am, followed by a reception at the Hope House. Burial will follow the reception at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.