Carolyn Ann (Base) Wilnerd, age 90, a nurturing mother of 7 and a retired passionate elementary school teacher, passed away Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at the Eureka Nursing Center surrounded by family. Early that morning, Carolyn was welcomed into the beautiful gardens of heaven. Carolyn was born June 24, 1934 at Saint Rose Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas to parents Leo Wesley Base and Evelyn (Unruh) Base, joining her older sibling, Larry in the family home in Dundee, Kansas. Carolyn attended grade school in Dundee through 8th grade before graduating from Pawnee Rock High School in 1952. By that time, Carolyn had gained 2 more siblings, Betty and Steve.
In her youth, it was apparent Carolyn had a love for children, as a highly respected babysitter and a love for music, taking piano lessons for years, some in Great Bend every Saturday. She attended Fort Hays State University for two years, receiving her 60 hour teaching certificate. Carolyn covered much ground during that time, working in Washington, D.C. for a summer and helping care for her first born nephew.
