Carol grew up in Hickman and Holmesville. She graduated from Holmesville High School in 1966.
After high school graduation Carol wanted to attend business school in Omaha, NE, but her parents weren’t happy about her moving to the “big city”. She was instead attended the Grand Island School of Business. After graduation Carol took and passed the Civil Service Tests. She was offered an admin position at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and accepted the job in this much larger city. Thus began her 36-year career in Civil Service. She transferred to SAC Headquarters in Omaha, then to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. In continuing her education, Carol received her bachelor’s degree in library science. She retired in 2003 and in 2015 moved back to Nebraska to be closer to her family.
Carol loved quilting. Her mother assisted her in sewing her first quilt in 1970 and the love became a passion. After that, in every city she lived she would join at least one quilting guild. In her quilting career she made well over 100 quilts and was so proficient she entered and won many awards and recognitions. At one point she restored a badly damaged 100+ year old quilt and was adamant about the choice of fabrics for this task. The result was phenomenal, and the quilt was presented as a family gift.
A quilter’s heart is wrapped in bits of fabric and thread. Once sewn together and quilted, a work of art is created. Then the quilter’s heart can be at rest . . . at least for a few hours until the next square of fabric calls out to them for the same loving treatment. Carol loved sharing her passion with fellow experts and budding novices. The joy was in the process. Carol’s affection for fabric resulted in many more yards of material than she could ever hope to use. In her later years she made many donations to fellow quilters. One group in Colorado has international connections resulting in Carol’s influence being felt worldwide and we are all better for having known and embraced Carol and her passion.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Carolyn (Shambaugh) Rouse, and brother Terry.
Survived by siblings Allen (& Laurie) Rouse, Don (& Joan) Rouse, Chuck (& Bonnie) Rouse, and Sue Rouse (& Al) Saathoff; sister-in-law Kathi Rouse; nieces Sandi Rouse, Tracy Rouse (& Mike) Wesley, Jennifer (Rouse) Bale, and Taylor (Rouse) Stenneche; great-nephews Sheldon Bale and Paxton Stenneche, and great-nieces Cassie Bale, Paige Stenneche, and Sydney Wesley.
A ”Celebration of Life” service will be held on Tuesday, December 27th, at 11:00 am at Roper & Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ St in Lincoln, NE. Lunch will be served on site after the service.
Memorial contributions will be made to the International Quilt Museum in memory of Carol Rouse at 1523 N 33rd St Lincoln, NE 68583.