Carol Lillian (Breidenbach) Wilcken

A memorial service for Carol was held Friday, April 14, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Fairhaven Memorial Park Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorial.com for the Wilcken family.

Biography of Carol Lillian (Breidenbach) Wilcken.....

Carol Lillian (Breidenbach) was born on April 14, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri to Herman and Lillian Breidenbach.

Second of four children, she attended Linwood grade school, and Southwest High School where she graduated with honors in 1954.

Carol's education came early by starting to work jobs at 13 years old so she could buy her own clothes. She started in 5 and dime type stores, moved up to department stores in high school and then insurance companies after graduation.

Carol married Robert Wilcken, whom she met at a dental school picnic.

She had 3 children - Brenda, Laura, Mark, and four grandchildren: Rachel, Paul, Cory and Mary.

At a young age Carol attended Mount Tabor Church in St. Louis. She went on to become a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Elmhurst, Illinois. After she and her family moved to Tustin, California where they attended Trinity Presbyterian Church for the past 50 years.

Carol was a stay-at-home Mom and was involved in many activities and hobbies. She also enjoyed planning road trips for her family as the children were growing up. By the time they entered high school they had learned about and visited most of the states in the Union.

Carol also had a career having been the supervising director of the Tustin Library for 20 years.

In her final years Carol was diagnosed with dementia. She knew of this diagnosis and was determined to keep a positive spirit throughout the life altering journey. Carol's family took good care of her throughout these years and allowed her to live her life with dignity, laughter, and grace. In 2020 it became necessary after a fall and broken hip for Carol to be placed in a home. Her outlook in these new foreign surroundings remained positive and she adapted well even among lock downs due to Covid.

With her family holding vigil by her side, on the morning of January 19, 2023 Carol passed away peacefully. She had a strong faith in God and now rests in Heaven with her Lord and Savior.