Carol’s brother and three sisters were born to add to her family. Carol and her siblings grew up in various rural communities in NE. At an early age, Carol went to live with her maternal grandmother, Marie Olsen, in Lincoln, NE. Carol remembered her grandmother with great love and admiration. She was also particularly close to her uncles and aunts who held great significance in her life, especially during her childhood: Willard & Emma Olsen, George Olsen, Carl and Edith Christiansen.
Carol met and married James Barnard in Lincoln. To that union were born Beth, Kevin, and Jamie. Carol made lifelong friends among their Lincoln neighbors, including Merva and Elton Brodd, Jack and Virginia Dolen, and their children. Later, the Barnard family moved to Beaver Crossing, NE, where they lived for many years. During those years, Carol worked as a cook at Volzke’s Flying V Restaurant in Utica.
Carol later moved back to Lincoln with her youngest daughter. She met and married David Tejral in 1981. They remained married until his passing in 2022. For many years they resided near UNL East campus on one of the streets regarded as “Professor’s Row,” where Carol enjoyed neighborhood events, visiting with her neighbors, spending time on the porch, greeting passers-by with a special fondness for their dogs. Carol worked as a cook at the UNL sorority Alpha Xi Delta and Wesleyan sorority Delta Zeta. Carol loved working around the young women, making sure they knew she cared about them, and keeping them well fed during their school years away from home and family.
Carol loved dancing at the Flying V and Pla-Mor ballrooms, and she loved Cornhusker football and volleyball, as well as other sporting events, watching the games on television as often as she could. She sure loved to cheer on her favorite pro teams as well (Go Chiefs!). Carol kept amazing flower gardens, and had up to 50 rosebushes at one time, along with a wide variety of other beautiful flowers and plants she carefully tended. She often sent home a fragrant bouquet with anyone who stopped by to visit.
Carol dearly loved her friends and family, was “Mom” or “Mother Carol” to her kids and their spouses, and “Grandma” or “Gigi” to all her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carol was much loved by the fortunate ones who saw her as their “bonus mom” and grandma. Carol’s niece, Jennifer Bretta, and Jenny’s son, Tristan have been very close to Carol for a number of years. Jennifer was a loving caregiver and helper for her in her home prior to her move to Tabitha, and during Carol’s stay at Tabitha, as well, being with Carol in her final moments here on earth. Long-time dear friend, Gina (Dolen) Miller, daughter of Jack and Virginia Dolen, has returned to our lives, and has been especially close to Carol and helping in her care over the recent months, and the bond that was formed when Carol babysat for Gina was still strong as Gina came to care for Carol in her final weeks.
Carol went to be with Jesus on March 18, 2024, after a long, exhausting struggle with COPD and lung cancer, surrounded by loving caregivers, family, and friends. The family is especially grateful to the staff of Tabitha and the Tabitha Hospice team for their excellent care and great kindness to our beloved mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, aunts and uncles, James Barnard, David Tejral, sister Kathy Pliva and brother-in-law Chuck Pliva, brother-in-law Gary Hansen, and great-nephews Triston Grieser and Rhett Boyer.
Carol is survived by her children: Beth (Harry) Weldon, Kevin (Denese) Barnard, Jamie (Dave) Martelle; grandchildren: Sarah (Ernie) Price, Jacob (Erin) Weldon, Ivy (Adam) Wallin, Olivia Barnard, Bailey Barnard, Leslie (Eric) Newlin, Lainey (Andy) Johnson, and great-grandchildren: Calvin and Cameron Price, Harper, Lila, Hudson, and Evelyn Weldon; Addison and Leah Wallin; Bradley Barnard; Rosalie and Lillian Barnard; Sam and Joanna Johnson. Surviving siblings are Kenny (Deanna) Boyer, Donna Hansen, Mary (James) Wenz, and their families.