Carolyn Wangaard, a selfless mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and neighbor, passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of March 7, 2025, at the Highland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bella Vista, AR. She was 82.

Carolyn lived a full and vibrant life. She was born Carolyn Louise Hoffman on July 6, 1942, in Meadville, PA, and later raised in Kentucky where she attended the Margaret Hall Episcopal School for girls in Versailles. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island. She went on to wed Fredérick F. Wangaard in Lexington, KY, in 1964, and accompanied him as a military spouse on several deployments to US naval bases during the Vietnam conflict. They raised their children in the Denver, CO area, where she worked for many years as a registered nurse. She earned a sterling reputation as a nurse practitioner and a published co-author of numerous medical articles in the field of pulmonary health and medicine. After retiring, she moved to Gravette, AR, where she and her close friend raised her granddaughter.

Carolyn enjoyed hiking, skiing, traveling, birdwatching, cooking, reading, and writing. She co-authored three books, A Photographic Journey Through Colorado, Seasonings for a Colorado Afternoon, and The Day Begins Flamingo Pink. She was giving to her church and active in her community. She possessed a sharp intellect, a biting wit, and an abundant sense of humor. She loved without limits and would lovingly threaten a good old-fashioned whack with her "shillelagh" to all those who got out of line.

She is survived by her close friend, Beverly McDermott; her adult children, Derick, (Andrea), Kjell (Jessene), Tristan (Karen), Dane (Andrea Visnjevac), Cami Ryan (Justin), and Jaelen, her adopted granddaughter; 13 other grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; her sister, Linda James; and many nieces and nephews.

She will be laid to rest alongside her late husband at Church of the Transfiguration Columbarium in Evergreen, CO.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.