Carolyn Lemon Holste

Carolyn Lemon Holste, cherished mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, musician, and faithful servant of God, left peacefully to be with her Savior on August 24, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 80 years old.

Carolyn was born July 20, 1946, in Viola, Kansas, to Roger and Ruth Lemon. Early days on their farm were shaped by her parents’ faith and love of music. She began playing both the French horn and piano in her youth. Her musical gifts and dedication led her to Kansas State University, where she graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance.

Music remained a central part of Carolyn’s life. She taught music at Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool and taught piano students privately. She earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri in 1996 and went on to teach elementary school music for many years in the Columbia Public Schools. She was proud to be awarded the 2002-2003 Elementary Educator of the Year by the Columbia Community Teachers Association. Carolyn shared not only her love of music but also her patience, enthusiasm, and joy with generations of children and piano students.

Carolyn was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 40 years. Her abiding faith in Jesus guided her throughout her life. She gave generously of her time and talents as an organist and Sunday School teacher. She was also passionately devoted to the children’s ministry of Community Bible Study.

Every minute of time spent with her grandchildren and her siblings was cherished. She was blessed with many close and lasting friendships in Columbia and treasured the relationships she built throughout her life.

Loving survivors include her brother, Roger (Ann) Lemon of Viola, KS; sisters, Janet (Jim) Henderson of Weatherby Lake, MO and Patricia Gibson of Wichita; daughters, Joy (Jason) Hughes of St Charles,MO and Sarah (Jonathan) Hodges of Durham, NC; and grandchildren

Joel, Jamie, Joshua, and Benjamin. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former students, and the many people whose lives she touched through her music, teaching, faith, and kindness.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia on Saturday, August 29th at 1:00 p.m. . Visitation will be held at the church two hours prior to the service. Flowers may be sent to Memorial Funeral Home of Columbia. If considering a memorial contribution, some organizations important to her included Trinity Lutheran Church (https://www.trinity-lcms.org) and Community Bible Study of Columbia (https://columbia.cbsclass.org). She was a cancer survivor, and donations to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org) would also honor her legacy.

Carolyn leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, music, and service. Her lively and relentlessly positive spirit and devotion to her family, church, students, and friends will be remembered with gratitude and warmth by those who knew her.