Wednesday, August 9th, 2023
Carolyn Hemmelgarn
Our beautiful and elegant Mother, Carolyn Hemmelgarn (81) of Fort Recovery, peacefully passed away on August 7, 2023.
Mom was born on March 5, 1942, to Walter Franck (deceased) and Luella Gaerke-Franck (deceased). She attended Burkettsville Grade School and St. Henry High School. Mom married her devoted husband, our dad, Lowell Hemmelgarn on June 24, 1961. 62 years together.
Mom started her career at People's Bank in Coldwater, followed by over twenty years at Sherwin Williams in Celina and Greenville, later owning her own decorating business, Interiors by Carolyn, for 15 years. Mom's love was interior decorating. She decorated both residential and businesses, including beautifying seven local Catholic churches. Mom's other passions were gardening and baking, including winning many pie contests at the Greenville Fair and her famous cinnamon rolls which were enjoyed by so many. She loved sewing, painting, drawing and simply spending precious time with her family. Mom had a deep passion for her family, who meant the world to her. Mom welcomed everyone with open arms to our home, especially in St. Henry. Our home was a constant gathering place for friends, family, and neighbors. Mom was often described by many as being "classy" with an "incredible sense of style."
Mom is survived by her husband, Lowell (Butch), and their five children, Anthony and Margie (Meyer) Hemmelgarn and their children Matt and Shannon Hemmelgarn and their children Morgan, Mae, and Max. Tim and Alyssa Hemmelgarn and their children Isla and Nolan, Terrence and Lois (Knapke) Hemmelgarn and their children Chloe (deceased), Jack, Nick (deceased), Emma, and Rachael, Thomas and Lynn (Romer) Hemmelgarn and their children Connor and his fiancé Sarah, Alec and his fiancé Courtney, and daughter Kaitlyn, Lori and Bob Davidek, and Lynn and Rob Holdheide and their children, Megan and Brendan Donahue, Joseph, and Scott. Also surviving are Mom's siblings, Dan and Linda Franck, Larry and Theresa Franck, Glenn and Renee Franck, Kate and John Fullenkamp, and Dad's siblings, Trish and Jerry Osterholt, Ned (deceased) and Kathy Hemmelgarn, Fred and Doris (deceased) Hemmelgarn, Grace and Ken Tobe, and Mary and Louie Bergman.
She will be missed by all. Mom, may you rest easy in grace and love. "A wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother too, this is the legacy we have from you."
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville. Burial in St. Bernard Cemetery will follow the funeral mass.
Friends may call from 4 - 8pm on Friday, August 11, and from 9-10am on Saturday, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to EverHeart Hospice, Williams Syndrome Association, or the American Cancer Society.
