Carol Evelyn Detje was born August 29, 1942, in Lacey, Iowa the daughter of Opal (Wymore) and James Meyer. Born the youngest of seven children, after the death of her mother at 4 months old she was raised by her father and siblings. Carol attended school in New Sharon. As a teen, she moved to Traer to work at the bakery and live with her sister in the summer. That is when she met Chris.
On June 25, 1961, Carol was united in marriage to Christian Detje at Ripley United Church of Christ, Traer. Their union resulted in the birth of five daughters: Christina Joy, Diana Lynn, Tricia Ann, and twins Lisa Marie and Laura Marie.
Her love for the school bus and the people that filled it began when Chris taught her how to drive, using a school bus. She obtained her driver’s license and went on to drive for North Tama for the next 57 years. She had many other jobs in the community including the Convalescence Home, Sunrise Hill Care Center and volunteering for the Traer Ambulance. She was a member of Ripley United Church of Christ, Women’s Auxiliary, Traer Lion’s Club, Iowa and International Flying Farmers. Carol enjoyed camping, gardening, and flying with her husband. Carol was a big fan of North Tama activities, following her children and grandchildren through their many events. Most notably she was found behind home plate of baseball and softball games yelling “goooooo reeeeeed” and “right in right across”. Having only daughters, Carol considered every baseball boy one of her own and was always the requested bus driver of many activity trips. The kids on her bus understood her rules and the consequences of their actions.
On Sunday July 28, 2024, Carol passed away after a brief illness at Unity Point Hospital in Waterloo with her family by her side. Carol is survived by her daughters Christina (Ron) Schlichting, Diana (Larry) Hora both of Traer, Tricia (Rob) Zeis of Des Moines, Lisa Even (Chad Chizek), Laura (Chad) Taylor, both of Traer; grandchildren Matthew (Brittany) Schlichting, Kayla Hora, Nicole (Scott) Hemann, Alexis (Chris) Droullard, Austin Hora, Cael Even, Kinsley Even, Emilie Zeis, Lydia Taylor, Kahlia Even, Delanie Taylor; great granddaughters Amelia Schlichting, Sophia Hemann, and another Schlichting baby expected in December; her brother Don Meyer, sister-in-law Maryann Meyer, and many nieces, nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Chris (July 2018); siblings Joyce DeWitt, Kenneth Meyer, Anna Nelson, and Vanna Nelson.
Visitation for Carol will be held on Saturday, August 3rd from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Ripley United Church of Christ in Traer. The funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 4th at 1:30 PM at the Ripley United Church of Christ. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Buckingham Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.
- Lovingly written by Carol's family
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