Obituary for Carolyn Kay VanderGiesen
Carolyn K. (Ouderkirk) VanderGiesen passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in the early morning hours of July 4th, 2023, at Rock Regional Medical Center in Derby, Kansas in the presence of her son. At the time of her passing, Carolyn VanderGiesen was 75 years old and had been married to her husband, Dennis for 55 years.
Carolyn was born in Hays, Kansas on November 11, 1947 to Milton and Nona (Bouchey) Ouderkirk, and lived her childhood in Zurich, Kansas, until she was sixteen. She graduated from high school in Downs, Kansas in 1965. Carolyn earned a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems from Fort Hays State University, and later earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University in December of 1994. Carolyn distinctly believed in the value of education and was extremely proud that all of her children earned advanced degrees in their fields of study.
She married Dennis James VanderGiesen on November 22, 1967 at the United Methodist Church in Downs, Kansas. Thereafter, over many, many years, they resided in Topeka, Kansas; Downs, Kansas; Hays, Kansas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and finally, Derby, Kansas.
Throughout the years, Carolyn's passion centered on two main areas, family and community service. Her passion and love for family began as the eldest of five siblings, and continued throughout the decades for siblings, Carleen, Michael, Michele, and Dave. That love knew no boundaries after her children, William (Bill), Tim, and Jere were born and continued to the day of her death. She loved family gatherings and reunions, whatever the circumstances, and took great joy in reconnecting with many cousins after retirement, proven by the fact that one of her last activities was attending the wedding of one of Carleen's granddaughters the weekend prior to her passing. Nothing, however, compared to the amount of love, compassion, and emotional support she provided to her grandchildren, Kyler, Ainsley, Brooke, and Harper, whom she loved to spoil in every way possible whether that was vacations, movies, sporting events, especially the Royals, shopping (lots and lots), playing games or cards, cooking or sharing recipes, or the odd casino visit in later years.
Carolyn emphatically believed in community service and the lifting up of those who suffered from the failures of society. Early in her adult life, she worked for members of the Kansas legislature, and then after her sons were born, while she cared for them, she also worked at the local clinic, as well as donating her time and effort in volunteering in support of various sports and school events, including coaching youth tennis for many years. After her children had grown, Carolyn re-dedicated her efforts and the rest of her career towards education and community service. Over the years, she served as a Dean at Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces, New Mexico before serving as Director of New Mexico State University's TANF program for multiple years. She concluded her career and eventually retired after over a decade as Executive Director and Founder of the New Mexico Association of Community Partners (NMACP), a non-profit that supports all six of New Mexico's Action Agency's.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Nona Ouderkirk, her sister Carleen Clark, and her brother, Michael. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dennis, as well as her sons William (Denise) of Mulvane, Kansas; Tim (Annette) of Miami, Florida; and Jere (Elise), Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Kyler, Ainsley, Brooke (Colin), and Harper. Her surviving siblings include Michele (Roy) Woods of McPherson, Kansas; and Dave Ouderkirk of Salina, Kansas. Her loving extended family includes numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and grandnieces/nephews.
A memorial service will be held on July 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N Rock Rd, Derby, KS 67037, followed by an extensive Celebration of Life, as Carolyn requested, at the clubhouse of her home, 2418 E. Madison, Derby, Kansas 67037. For her Celebration of Life, and in honor of her wishes, the family requests that everyone dress comfortably, and specifically if possible, something that the attendee associates with Carolyn, such as Royals fan gear or other baseball teams, movies, Broadway musicals, card and casino games, or family.
Memorials are established with the Alzheimer's Association, 1820 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67214;
and Roadrunner Food Bank, 5840 Office Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
Carolyn was born in Hays, Kansas on November 11, 1947 to Milton and Nona (Bouchey) Ouderkirk, and lived her childhood in Zurich, Kansas, until she was sixteen. She graduated from high school in Downs, Kansas in 1965. Carolyn earned a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems from Fort Hays State University, and later earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University in December of 1994. Carolyn distinctly believed in the value of education and was extremely proud that all of her children earned advanced degrees in their fields of study.
She married Dennis James VanderGiesen on November 22, 1967 at the United Methodist Church in Downs, Kansas. Thereafter, over many, many years, they resided in Topeka, Kansas; Downs, Kansas; Hays, Kansas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and finally, Derby, Kansas.
Throughout the years, Carolyn's passion centered on two main areas, family and community service. Her passion and love for family began as the eldest of five siblings, and continued throughout the decades for siblings, Carleen, Michael, Michele, and Dave. That love knew no boundaries after her children, William (Bill), Tim, and Jere were born and continued to the day of her death. She loved family gatherings and reunions, whatever the circumstances, and took great joy in reconnecting with many cousins after retirement, proven by the fact that one of her last activities was attending the wedding of one of Carleen's granddaughters the weekend prior to her passing. Nothing, however, compared to the amount of love, compassion, and emotional support she provided to her grandchildren, Kyler, Ainsley, Brooke, and Harper, whom she loved to spoil in every way possible whether that was vacations, movies, sporting events, especially the Royals, shopping (lots and lots), playing games or cards, cooking or sharing recipes, or the odd casino visit in later years.
Carolyn emphatically believed in community service and the lifting up of those who suffered from the failures of society. Early in her adult life, she worked for members of the Kansas legislature, and then after her sons were born, while she cared for them, she also worked at the local clinic, as well as donating her time and effort in volunteering in support of various sports and school events, including coaching youth tennis for many years. After her children had grown, Carolyn re-dedicated her efforts and the rest of her career towards education and community service. Over the years, she served as a Dean at Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces, New Mexico before serving as Director of New Mexico State University's TANF program for multiple years. She concluded her career and eventually retired after over a decade as Executive Director and Founder of the New Mexico Association of Community Partners (NMACP), a non-profit that supports all six of New Mexico's Action Agency's.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Nona Ouderkirk, her sister Carleen Clark, and her brother, Michael. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dennis, as well as her sons William (Denise) of Mulvane, Kansas; Tim (Annette) of Miami, Florida; and Jere (Elise), Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Kyler, Ainsley, Brooke (Colin), and Harper. Her surviving siblings include Michele (Roy) Woods of McPherson, Kansas; and Dave Ouderkirk of Salina, Kansas. Her loving extended family includes numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and grandnieces/nephews.
A memorial service will be held on July 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N Rock Rd, Derby, KS 67037, followed by an extensive Celebration of Life, as Carolyn requested, at the clubhouse of her home, 2418 E. Madison, Derby, Kansas 67037. For her Celebration of Life, and in honor of her wishes, the family requests that everyone dress comfortably, and specifically if possible, something that the attendee associates with Carolyn, such as Royals fan gear or other baseball teams, movies, Broadway musicals, card and casino games, or family.
Memorials are established with the Alzheimer's Association, 1820 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67214;
and Roadrunner Food Bank, 5840 Office Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.