Carolyn F. Gardner

Carolyn Faye Gardner (Brauer), lifelong resident of Calhan passed away peacefully on Thursday June 13th 2024 at her home with family by her side. She was 73. Carolyn was born in Colorado Springs on April 14th, 1951. She was the first child of Rudolph and Elsie (Sokol) Brauer, of Calhan. She attended and graduated from Calhan School in 1969. While in school she was in many organizations and groups. Carolyn met and eventually married Larry Gardner on July 24th, 1971 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Calhan. They had two children, Jeremy and Katie. Carolyn obtained her teaching degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1973. She was a Teacher her entire working career. She began teaching at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind in 1973. She taught K-6 at Edison School District from 1974-78. She started teaching 3rd grade at Calhan School District in 1979. Carolyn did this 20 years until she became the District Technology Coordinator in 1999. She retired in 2009 after 30 years at Calhan School, but her teaching did not end there. She then began online teaching for other teachers and special needs students until just recently. Her teaching spanned over 50years. 

She was an active member of the following organizations and groups: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Calhan Lions Club, Calhan Alumni Association, Eastern Plains Community Pantry, VFW Post 5221 Ladies Auxiliary, multiple teacher organizations, and Alpha Delta Kappa. She served on many committees and boards for the surrounding communities. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, two brothers in law: Charley Armer and Charles Gardner, and also sister in law Mitzi Gardner. She leaves behind her husband Larry, daughter Katie Thiessen (Corey and Jetlyn) of Kansas, son Jeremy Gardner (Meagan and Brileigh) of Calhan, and her sister Barbara Armer of Calhan. She also leaves behind three nieces, one nephew and numerous cousins and friends. 

 Visitation will be 5-7pm Wednesday June 19th at St Paul Lutheran Church 1450 5th St in Calhan, Funeral services will be at 10am Thursday June 20th at St. Paul Lutheran Church, with reception to immediately follow at Calhan School. A more complete obituary will be posted online with Love Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to St. Paul Lutheran Church 1450 5th St. Calhan CO, 80808, or to the Calhan Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 511 Boulder St. Calhan CO, 80808.