Carolynn Garbers

CAROLYNN RUTH (POWERS) GARBERS

Vinton

Carolynn Ruth (Powers) Garbers, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, surrounded by family and friends following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Garrison with the Rev. Mark Leckband officiating. Interment will be held at the Garrison Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton. A memorial fund has been established.

Carolynn was born Nov. 11, 1933, the daughter of Roy Myrl and Verna Lorene (McFall) Powers, in Staples, Minn., and lived most of her life in the Benton County area.

Carolynn met William "Bill" Garbers Sr., the love of her life, while attending high school in Garrison. They were married on June 1, 1952, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Van Horne. They were blessed with two beautiful children, Cynthia "Cyndee" and William "Bill" Jr., whom they loved with all their hearts. Carolynn and Bill farmed in both the Keystone and Garrison areas and spent many hours sharing their contagious smiles, never ending love for life and giving attitude while mentoring to youth, volunteering at their church or attending sporting events. Carolynn was able to be a stay-at-home mom until her children were grown, at which time she became the activity director at Keystone Nursing Care Center, where she touched the lives of not only the residents but the staff as well.

Carolynn's love for God, family, church and community found her volunteering as organist/pianist at many church services, as "Melodee" the clown for St. Luke's Clown Connection, hospice volunteer for Hospice Compassus, serving as an officer on the Vinton Lutheran Home board, the Cedar Valley Ranch board, as well as her church organizations.

She is survived by her daughter, "Cyndee" Garbers; her grandchildren, Joshua (Nicole) Ohrt, Summer (Danny) Meczkowski, Autumn Ohrt, Spring (Pierre) Wright and Winter (Heath) Evens; her son, Bill Garbers and wife Deb; and her grandchildren, Tiffnie (Curtis) Lamont and Tiernie (Brad) Kluver; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Patsy (Chuck) Campbell; and numerous nieces, and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Carolynn was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 1986; grandson, Michael William Ohrt; father- and mother-in-law, Bernerd "Mike" and Frieda (Seboldt) Garbers; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois (Frank) Clifton, Phyllis (Dallas) Brunssen and Barbara (Albert Pickering) and (Ernest Dreesman).

Online condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.