was born the second of four children on Feb. 21, 1940, to Coe and Rachel (Ventress) Sharp in Brush, Colorado. She departed her earthly home on June 27, 2026, on her own terms. She made it back to her apartment, ate an Ice cream sundae, watched some TV, got her nails done, visited with family and friends, and then quickly began her journey to her heavenly home.
Carol graduated from Brush High School in 1957. She lived with her grandma in Brush during the school year and spent her summers on her family farm south of Akron, Colorado. After graduation, she attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado where she met her husband Glenn, and the two were married on Aug. 21, 1960.
The union lasted 60 wonderful years until Glenn’s death on Nov. 24, 2020. The couple moved to Mitchell in 1961 where their first child, Mike, was born in 1963. The family then moved to North Platte in 1965 for a short time before moving to Gothenburg in June of 1966, where Carol spent her remaining 60 years in the community that she loved. The couple welcomed their second child Kevin later in 1966, and in 1973, third child Scott joined the family.
Carol dedicated her early years to raising her three boys while volunteering and staying very active in the community of Gothenburg.
As the boys grew older, Mike and Kevin started M & K Mowing Service, which Carol always joked actually stood for “Mom & Kids Mowing Service” because Mom worked as hard as anyone!
After Mike went to college and Kevin and Scott grew older, Carol followed a dream and went back to school and became a medical lab technician. Carol worked for many years at Gothenburg Family Practice where she worked in the lab and later served as the office manager. Never one to sit still, Carol was actively involved in the Gothenburg First United Methodist Church, PEO (serving as Chapter AW president three times), as well as United Methodist Women, Gothenburg Women’s Club, and the Gothenburg Community Improvement Program. She took great pride in serving others through countless volunteer roles, including Sunday School teacher, Bible school leader, election committee, bloodmobile volunteer, and Meals on Wheels volunteer, volunteer classroom reader, and the beloved “snuggle sock sewing grandma” in her daughter- in-law Wendy’s classroom.
Carol’s happiest place was her kitchen. She loved collecting recipes, hosting family dinners, preparing meals for family and friends, baking her famous banana bread, keeping a bowl of her signature Chex Mix on her counter year-round, and canning countless jars of tomatoes and pickled beets. She found joy in caring for others.
Above all else, Carol treasured being “Grandma.” Grandma Carol always had room on her lap, a sleeping bag on her TV room floor, or a place at her dinner table for another grandchild or one of their friends. She had a remarkable way of making everyone feel like family.
Carol lived a life defined by a servant’s heart. She consistently placed the needs of others before her own. Her legacy is one of selfless service, unwavering faith, and a heart that made countless people feel like one of her own. Even in her final weeks in the hospital, Carol was more worried about the needs of others than herself. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered for the love she so freely gave.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn; sister and brother-in law, Nita and Lew Lineberger and their daughter Theresa; brother, Clifford Sharp; and grandson, Shaun Bartels.
Carol is survived by sons, Mike (Linda), Kevin (Becky), and Scott (Wendy); grandchildren, Steve (Erica) Bartels, Elizabeth (Devin) Bartels, CC (Tristan) Kelly, Michael Kelly, Maria Bartels, Ali (Riley) LaRue, Ty Bartels, Addison Bartels, and Trey Bartels; great-grandchildren, Hayden Bartels, Shelby Bartels, Ethan Bartels, Finley Bartels, Jaxx D’amico; brother, Donald (Cheryl) Sharp; two sisters-in-law, Etta Williams and Marlene “Corky” Fleming; and dear friend, Elaine Finke.
Services were held at First United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 1, with Pastor Grace Gichuru officiating. Interment was in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church.