Carolyn Eden – Hansen-Spear

Carolyn Marie Eden, age 83, of Quincy, died on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 10:50am in Blessing Hospital.

Carolyn was born on November 30, 1941, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of Paul and Mildred (Koenemann) Schroeder. She was baptized into the faith on December 21, 1941, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Preble, Indiana. On April 3, 1955, she was Confirmed in the faith with the verse from Matthew 10:32, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” Carolyn married Rev. Roger Eden on June 15, 1963, in Fort Wayne.

Survivors in addition to her husband of 61 years, Roger, include two children, Rev. Martin (Malinda) Eden of Quincy, and Dr. Monica (Matthew) Frahm of Inver Grove Heights, MN; five grandchildren, Annalisa (Hunter) Thewis, Julianna (Kolton) Grawe, Jonas Frahm, Karl Frahm, and Zoë Frahm; two brothers, Fred (Sandy) Schroeder of Fort Wayne, IN, and Roy (Christine) Schroeder of Henderson, NV; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Carolyn graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1959. She was employed at Indiana & Michigan Electric Company from 1959-1963, where she was the first Key-Punch Operator for the first computer introduced in the Accounting Department.

During her husband’s 39 years as a full-time Pastor, Carolyn served in many ways in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at their churches in Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. She was at times church secretary, choir director, quilter, and tireless organizer of activities from Sunday School programs to events for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Carolyn had a talent and love for music. Throughout her life, she enjoyed singing in the church choir, and she also had a couple of semi-professional singing opportunities. Prior to her marriage, she was part of a female quartet that sang at concerts and recorded an album. She was able to perform on stage again in Kentucky for several years, singing with the Louisville Bach Society accompanied by the Louisville orchestra.

Carolyn began her career in sales for Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) in 1985 and retired in 2001, the same week AAL and Lutheran Brotherhood merged to form Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. During her career, she also served as District Manager and Agency Trainer.

In retirement, Carolyn and Roger moved from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Pana, Illinois, from 2004-2010 to live near the family of their son, Martin, and experience the childhood of their granddaughters, Annalisa and Julianna. In March 2010, Carolyn and Roger moved north to Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, to live near the family of their daughter, Monica, and participate in the childhood of their grandchildren, Jonas, Karl, and Zoë. Carolyn treasured the years helping with young grandchildren, baking cookies with them, and watching them grow. All of the grandchildren loved having their Nana close. In spring 2021, Carolyn and Roger moved to Quincy, Illinois.

Visitation: 10:00 to 10:45 am on Friday, December 20, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Service: 11:00 am on Friday, December 20, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, with Rev. Tim Moe officiating.

Inurnment will take place at a later date in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Wheeler, Illinois.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or ORLC St. James School Tuition Endowment Fund. Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are overseeing the arrangements.