Carol Ann Carmer (Erickson)

Carol Ann Carmer (Erickson), age 84, passed away peacefully in her home on November 5th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Carol was born on March 9th, 1941, in Riverside, California to Clarence and Violet Erickson. After graduating high school, Carol went on to Graceland College (now University) and received her teaching degree. While in Lamoni, she met and fell in love with David Carmer. They dated and later got married on December 29th, 1959. They were happily married for 65 years, just shy of 66 this coming December. Carol not only was a loving wife, valued and respected teacher, and prominent member of her church and surrounding communities, but also, an incredible mother to her two children, Julie and Joel.

She taught for a number of years while Dave was finishing his degrees. However, while teaching was a passion of hers, she would often say her most important job was that of raising her children and running the household. Her family, not only immediate and extended, but also friends that became like family, were incredibly important to her. Throughout all the roles she fulfilled in her time on this earth, she was the most loving, caring, kind, dedicated, silly, determined, full of life, and laughter type of person. No matter what you called her, you could always count on a warm smile, listening ears, and often something delicious to eat.

A helper at her core, she had the most beautiful servant heart. From being active in her church, to community events, to school functions for her kids/grandkids, to visiting and calling those who could not get out of their home or having people over for a cup of coffee and just to talk, Carol lived out her servanthood in the most significant of ways. She always talked about being the hands and feet of Christ, and she did that until the day she died. She listened, she truly cared, she prayed without ceasing, and she never gave up. She was so important to everyone that she met. She lived out her life’s mission of servanthood outside of the home but also equally as important, she did it from inside her home as well. Her and Dave raised not only their two children, but countless others including nieces, nephews, church members who needed help, and many, many more. She was, and forever will be, the strong pillar in which so many of our lives were, and still are, anchored by.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, and all five of her siblings. She is survived by her husband, Dave, daughter, Julie (Wishy) and husband Michael, and son, Joel Carmer and wife Valorie. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Andrew and his wife Shawna, Hana (Burrows) and her husband Wesley, Taylor (Lattner), and Lauren Carmer. And her four great-grandchildren Ramsey, Chapman, Mackinley, and Violet. A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, November 29th, 2025, at Woods Chapel Community of Christ Church. Time to greet and support the family will be offered following the service.

To our Dearie, Mom, Granny, and Nini, we love you always and forever. It’s not goodbye, it’s just see you later.