Carol Varnau

   With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Carol Ann (Lee) Varnau, age 85, on December 24, 2024. A spirited traveler, music lover, (cheating) card player, generous friend, loyal sister, and loving matriarch, she departed this world surrounded by the people who cherished her most. It was — perhaps —the first day of her adult life that she did not have on her trademark earrings, lipstick, and gold sunglasses. 

   Born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana, with her siblings George Lee, Ron Lee, and Linda (Linson) Lee, Carol enjoyed playing softball, traveling, and learning homemaking skills from her loving mother, Roxie Lee. 

   Carol and her first husband, Larry Cardwell, raised 4 daughters: Laura Applegate, Lisa Martin, Lynette Kircher, and Libby Lawrence. They also took care of many barnyard animals, including pigs, 72 chickens, and their daughters’ high school friends. 

   Carol worked at Delco for many years, while also working as a part-time cosmetologist. Carol enjoyed styling hair “for old people” (her words) at various nursing homes in Kokomo. Rather than slowing down after retiring from Delco, Carol and her second husband Wilbur Varnau moved to the top of a mountain in Arizona, where they continued to build a life filled with laughter, grandchildren, friends, cards, and sunshine. They eventually settled in Wickenburg, Arizona, where Carol was active in art club, card club, pottery making, crafting jewelry, and hosting the neighborhood 4:00 meeting, to which pets would bring their owners. 

   Whether you encountered Carol as a kind volunteer at your school library, as an adventurous new neighbor driving a 4-wheeler up the side of a mountain, as a cheating euchre partner, or as a glamorous lady in traffic driving a cherry-red pickup truck with the windows down and Elvis on the speakers, you undoubtedly have fond memories of her. 

   Carol is survived by her sister Linda (Lee) Linson of Russiaville, IN, and her brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Rena Lee of Kokomo, IN. Carol is also survived by her daughters Lisa (Cardwell) Martin of Beavercreek, OH, and Lynette (Cardwell) Kircher and husband Daryl Kircher, of Richmond, IN. Carol’s 13 grandchildren will miss her fiercely: Joshua Cardwell, Eric Lawrence (Krystal Jones), Austin Lawrence (Samantha Stansberry), Kyle Applegate (wife Amanda) Audreyalice Warner (husband Paul), Elizabeth Coutu (husband Joe) Patrick Martin (wife Taylor), Jacob Martin, Katie Martin, Kristy Kircher (husband Jeremiah), Jamie Terrell (husband Jason), Lindsey Kircher (Corey Ferguson) and Chad Kircher (wife Hannah). Amazingly, Carol is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren who loved her dearly, even if they could not agree on whether she should be called “Granny” or “Gigi”. Carol also leaves behind her beloved friend and neighbor, Rhoda VanErstvelde. 

   Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her brother Roger Lee, and her daughters Libby Lawrence and Laura Applegate. 

   A celebration of life for Carol will be held on January 12, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home in Fountain City, with a service to follow at 3:00 pm. It was Carol’s sincere wish that no one wear black to her funeral, so please follow the rules and wear bright colors. Carol’s favorites were red, purple, and animal print. In our continued pursuit to honor Carol’s wishes, we’ll listen to Elvis and tell funny stories as we remember our beloved friend, mom, sister, neighbor, and grandma. 

   If you would like to honor Carol’s amazing life, you could make a donation to the Indiana University Foundation, Inc., with a note that the funds be used for the benefit of the “Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.” Or you could support PEO International. PEO is a Sisterhood of women who are purposeful and passionate about celebrating, supporting and motivating other women. Carol was an active member of their Wickenburg chapter. Passionate, supportive, and celebratory…sure sounds like Carol, doesn’t it?