Carol Rae Varilek

The family of Carol Rae (Meeks) Varilek wishes everyone to know that her work here on earth is complete.  On June 8th, 2018 she answered the call home to join family and friends not seen in a long time.  Carol was born August 17th 1954 to William and Elaine Meeks in Waukesha, WI. She graduated from Campbell County High School in Gillette, WY in May of 1972 and married John Varilek in August the same year.  John and Carol initially settled in Palisade, Nebraska but soon moved to Culbertson where they raised four upstanding young men.

For many years Carol stayed home with her family and did a remarkable job assuring they made practices/games on time, completed their homework, wore color coordinated ensembles and came home sharply on the appointed hour.  She later took work at the Frenchman Valley Irrigation District office and then the Culbertson Elevator where she thoroughly enjoyed conversing with the farmers/characters of the local area.  She later looked forward to helping each year with Harvest, driving grain cart.  In her free time, Carol loved to read, sew, tend to her garden and chickens and chase Arlie (Great Dane) out of the house.  She was active in the Trinity Lutheran Church as a long-time treasurer and Sunday School/Vacation Bible School teacher/director.  She enjoyed many years with the Friendly Neighbors women’s club and treasured spending time with her grandchildren.

Carol leaves behind John, her beloved husband of 46 years, her sons: John (JD) and his wife Karen; children Anna and John of Bossier City Louisiana, Brandon and his wife Bradette; children William, Blaine and Wyatt of Raymond Nebraska, Phillip and Wife Jennifer; son Paxton and daughter Charlotte Rae of Tucson Arizona, Benjamin and his wife Julieann of Apollo Pennsylvania, and her sister Patti (Meeks) Westre and husband Jay of Kermit Texas; sons Byron, Darren and Galen.  Carol is preceded in death by her Father William Meeks and Mother Elaine Meeks.

Carol was a loving wife, mother and friend. We wish her a safe journey until we all meet up with her again in the presence of our Lord. We will remember her smile, her energy, her love of life, family and friends, and the stacks of books stashed throughout the house. She worked hard her whole life and the world is a better place for having her in it.

Memorial services will be at a later date.

Memorials may be given in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or the Palisade Veteran’s Memorial c/o Billy Smith, 107 South Vennum St, Palisade, NE 69040 and the Culbertson Rescue, 313 Tate St, Culbertson, NE 69001.