Carol Wohlleben

CAROL ANN WOHLLEBEN

Marion

Carol Ann Wohlleben of Marion, 78, beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend, died Nov. 2, 2016, from heart failure. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, followed by a luncheon reception at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids.

Born Nov. 30, 1937, in Cedar Rapids to David Kvapil and Maxine O'Bryan Kvapil, Carol graduated from Wilson High School, Class of 1955. She earned her B.S. degree from Iowa State University and her M.A. degree from the University of Iowa.

Carol's life touched many people. She was a lifelong educator and committed to both developing the future and preserving the past of the Cedar Rapids community. She was the visionary force behind the Kirkwood Culinary Arts Program, which she began in 1972, and expanded it over the course of her 30 years with Kirkwood. She held several directorships within the culinary industry after her retirement, and most recently served as an active volunteer and eventually on the board of directors of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

Carol is survived by her husband, Eldon Wohlleben of Marion; brother, David Kvapil; sister-in-law, Rachel Kvapil; daughters, Catherine (Claudio) of Cedar Rapids and Karen of St. Paul, Minn.; and son, Eric (Valerie) of Mount Vernon, Va. She also is survived by her 10 adoring grandchildren, Georgia (Rob), Tyler, Lauren, Antony, Oliver, Francesca, Emmanuel, Max, Alden and Helen; great-grandchild, Desi; many other loving family members; and her dozens of wonderful friends.

Carol brought her indomitable and creative spirit to all that she did, and she created beauty all around her. She always saw the best in everyone, and this quality seemed to bring out the best in others. She took much pride in the people around her and was a devoted mother, grandmother, book club member, bridge player and friend. She sang with the church choir and ran the entire food operation for the Farm Progress Show in the Amanas. She was funny, sweet and kind. She traveled and explored the world, and always encouraged others to explore their own world, wherever that might be.

We are all so proud and blessed to have this amazing woman in our lives. Carol's loving spirit will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be made to the Kirkwood Community College Foundation or National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in memory of Carol Wohlleben.

Please share a memory of Carol at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.