Carol Gayle (Crumpacker) Wildman was born June 4, 1942, in Pomeroy to David R. and Jessie (Ruchert) Crumpacker. She passed away Sunday, June 23, 2024, at home surrounded by her loved ones, from a long five-year battle with bladder cancer.
Carol attended elementary, junior and senior high school in Pomeroy, graduating in 1960. She received a bachelor of science and an advanced degree in agronomy from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Calif. She married Doug Kelly while in California and son John David was born to them in 1969, they later divorced. Carol and John David moved to Spokane where she met and married Gordon Wildman in 1970 and they welcomed a daughter Gretchen Kristine in 1971. They remained in Spokane until 1976 when they returned to the family farm in Pomeroy. Gordon passed away in 2005 and Carol remained on the family farm until her death. In 2018, Carol reacquainted with high school friend Larry Koller and they were united in a church service of mutual intent in 2020.
Carols working experience ran from being an accountant comptroller in Spokane, working for the local veterinary clinic in Pomeroy to government employment with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pomeroy where she retired in 2007. She was very involved with the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Pomeroy. She was the president of the women’s group, warden for the church and taught Sunday school for many years and was generally a hard worker for her church.
Carol had several loves in her life including but not limited to horses, cats, art, flowers and of course her family. She loved painting and had some beautiful art displayed at the Blue Mountain Artisan Guild in Pomeroy. They also grew beautiful flowers and especially loved their Dahlia’s. She made beautiful arrangements and made special ones for the Senior Center, St. Peters Episcopal Church, Memory Manor and many elderly around Pomeroy.
Carol is survived by her daughter Gretchen (Brad) Nelson; grandsons John David Nelson, of Pomeroy, and Mitchell (Jessica) Nelson; great-grandchildren Ivorlee Nelson, Abigail and Cameron Bello, of Port Orchard, Wash. Larry Koller, extended family and bonus grands and greats.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents David and Jessie; brother Robert (Bob) Crumpacker; husband Gordon; and son John David Wildman.
A memorial church and family communion service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 710 High St., Pomeroy. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13 at the Pataha Flour Mill, 50 Hutchins Hill Road, Pomeroy, with lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, BMAG c/o Mary Flerchinger P.O. Box 76, Pomeroy, WA 99347 or the St. Peters Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 490, Pomeroy, WA 99347.
