Carolyn Raines Gerhard
Carolyn was the oldest child. She helped care for her three younger brothers and a sister (LeRoy, Jim, David and Elaine), while growing up on the family farm. It was a wholesome and arduous life. Carolyn's daily chores included caring for a large flock of chickens, milking the cows and helping her mom in the kitchen.
Married at age 19 to Navy veteran William R. (Bill) Gerhard, Carolyn and Bill raised four children -- Bill, Jacque (Dansby), Laura and Matt. Carolyn's husband Bill passed away in 2006. Residing first in Overland Park, Kansas and then Palisade, Colorado, Carolyn served her community as a scout leader, block mother, youth choir director, church pianist and school volunteer. In all of her roles, including parenting, our mother brought an effervescent spirit of giving and gladness.
That same joyful spirit enabled her to achieve professional success. Employed by La Villa Grande Care Center and later Grand Villa Assisted Living, Carolyn excelled as an Activities Professional for over twenty years. She genuinely loved people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. She saw the humanity in each and every person she met. In 2004, she was nominated by her peers and honored as the top Activities Professional in the State of Colorado, for her humane and creative efforts to enhance the lives of elderly and disabled residents in long term care. Along the way, she mentored others in the profession, who still sing her praises today.
Our mother was a Christian - a quiet Christian - a Christlike Christian. Humble, kind, and exceedingly positive, she was very grounded in her life on earth, and yet she looked forward to everlasting life in heaven. About that, she had two thoughts. While scripture describes palaces of diamonds, gates made of pearls, and streets of gold, our mother fervently hoped she would find heaven to be a natural place of breezy green hills, wildflowers, birds and wide-open skies. Her second hope was to be reunited with her mother, Linnie, whom she deeply loved and emulated throughout her entire life.
If you wish to make a gift in honor of Carolyn Raines Gerhard, please consider Palisade Methodist Church, Roice Hurst Humane Society or The Art Center. A Celebration of Life was previously held to honor Carolyn's legacy.