Carolyn Green, one of the truly good people of this earth, passed away at the NHC HealthCare facility in Joplin, MO on Tuesday evening, March 22, 2016. She was 93.
Carolyn was born July 19, 1922 in King City, MO to Delta and Carrie (Copeland) Greenelsh. (She was the youngest of their four children).
Carolyn graduated from Jasper High School (MO) in 1940. She attended Carthage Business School and later moved to Washington, D.C. to work in the Department of Navy Personnel. After the United States declared war, Carolyn welcomed the opportunity to be part of an expanded war effort that included women in the armed services.
She enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve as a WAVE in 1942 and began her military service in Seattle, WA. Carolyn was selected to be part of a national public relations campaign designed to offset growing negative sentiment about the inclusion of women in the military during WW II. She was among the first group of WAVES to be deployed to Hawaii in January, 1945. Carolyn was a RadioMan 2nd Class stationed on Maui when she met Warren Green, the love of her life, and the man who would be her cherished husband for 68 years. Fond memories of her service as a WAVE include attending a special tea/luncheon hosted for hundreds of WAVES by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt on the White House grounds.
She married Warren Green (of Parkston) on September 15, 1946 in Vermillion, S.D. and began attending the University of South Dakota that semester. As an undergraduate, Carolyn assisted renowned USD Government Professor William (Doc) Farber with research for his book, South Dakota State Government. She graduated from USD in 1949 with a B.A. in Political Science. In later years, Carolyn was recognized alongside fellow South Dakotan Tom Brokaw at an awards ceremony honoring select ‘Farber Fellows’ for their distinguished scholarship and public service.
Carolyn’s professional career (government teacher & librarian) spanned over thirty years of teaching and mentoring students in Bradley, Vermillion, Waubay, Webster, Gettysburg, and Sisseton, South Dakota. Additionally, she worked with South Dakota Public Broadcasting to assist students in rural schools by accessing the newest technology and media. She closely followed world news and politics, challenging her students to learn all they could about the world and their role in it.
Carolyn completed her M.S. Degree in Information Media (from the College of Education) at St. Cloud State University in 1980 and retired from teaching in 1986.
Carolyn helped Warren launch a dream he had to create a museum in Day County during the early 1980s. Together their efforts to fundraise and organize resulted in The Museum of Wildlife, Science and Industry located on Highway 12 in Webster, S.D. In later retirement, they split their time between Yuma, AZ and Waubay, enjoying the company of friends and relatives.
Carolyn adored the beautiful spring and summer days along the shoreline of Blue Dog Lake among the flowers and flocks of beloved birds; happily working barefoot in the garden, savoring every spectacular sunset and endlessly rooting for the Minnesota Twins! Carolyn exuded a positive spirit that touched everyone she encountered. She ‘had the most radiant smile’ which expressed her enduring optimism and unwavering love of life—and led a life characterized by integrity, dignity and grace.
She was a wonderful, caring wife and helpmate, loving mother to her three children and proud grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was a member of the South Dakota Education Association, the American Association of University Women, and the American Legion (Brady-Monson Post #129) and its Auxiliary.
She is survived by three children-Craig Green (Patricia) of Mesa, AZ, Carol Green of Carthage, MO, and Karen Green (Scott Smith) of Carbondale, CO, four grandchildren: Cable of Olympia, WA, Cullen of Durango, CO, Cameron of Portland, OR and Cole Green-Smith of Denver, CO, two great-grandchildren: Nate and Casey Green of Olympia, WA, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Delta and Carrie Greenelsh; her two brothers, Edward and Delt Greenelsh, and her sister, Mary Bell. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Warren Green, who died on November 28, 2014.
Condolences may be made online: www.ulmerfh.com
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be announced at a later date. Contributions in her memory may be made to any of the following organizations:
South Dakota Public Broadcasting www.sdpb.org National Audubon Society www.audubon.org American Association of University Women www.aauw.org Emily’s List www.emilyslist.org Services are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home, Carthage, MO.
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