TOPEKA — Carol Louise Shepherd, 80, Burlingame, died Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Stormont-Vail Medical Center, Topeka.
She was born July 12, 1940, in Overbrook, the daughter of Millard “Mid” and Bernice (Trendel) Bond. Carol grew up in Overbrook, graduating from Overbrook High School with the class of 1958. Shortly after that, she moved to the Burlingame area and has lived there since.
Carol was united in marriage to Donald John Shepherd Sept. 6, 1963, at Overbrook Methodist Church. They shared 38 years together until Don’s death in 2002. Carol was proud to be a farmer’s wife.
She was the proud mother of four children, and her greatest love was for her family. Her children were proud to call her mom. She and Don worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for their kids. They spent many Monday evenings and Saturday mornings driving to dance lessons, Tuesday and Friday nights at sporting events, summer weekends at Osage County 4-H fairs, and Sunday afternoons having family dinners. Once the kids moved on to college, Don and Carol spent 10 years travelling to and from Manhattan to deliver homemade cookies, groceries and cash. After college, marriages brought eight grandchildren and more family to love. Carol loved to babysit the grandkids. She never said “no” to snacks for dinner, or any request made by one of the grandchildren. After Don passed away, Carol enjoyed taking trips with her sisters and/or her children. She loved a cruise, the annual trip to Colorado, and a good bus adventure with friends and neighbors. She also loved Christmas cookie baking day with anyone who wanted to join in on that Saturday in December. She loved Diet Dr. Pepper, chicken fingers and “yellow” Oreo cookies. She had a variety of interests, including painting, ceramics, quilting, sewing, etc., but didn’t have much time for them, as she was too busy with the kids and grandkids.
When Carol wasn’t supporting her children through school and activities, she worked outside the home. Before she and Don were married, she worked for the Overbrook Courier Newspaper as a linotype operator. Her love for the printing business would last throughout her entire professional life. She left the newspaper to work with her husband on the farm and raise their children, which was her most important work, and her kids will be forever thankful. Once all the kids were in school full time, Carol began working in the Burlingame School District lunchroom. She enjoyed seeing the schoolchildren pass by the window of the kitchen. The smiles from the kids and teachers were biggest on chili and cinnamon roll day. After what she thought would be retirement, she found herself working at D&M Printing and then The Osage County Herald-Chronical in Osage City. Her best days there were spent greeting customers and seeing old friends walk through the door.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, David Bond and Alva Edward Bond; and a son-in-law, Jim Pearson.
Survivors include two sons, David (Lynda) Shepherd, Overland Park, and Michael (Allison) Shepherd, Norman, Okla.; two daughters Dawn Pearson, Osage City, and Melinda Wadman (Marc), Leawood; a brother, Alan (Connie) Bond, Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters, Anita “Jeanie” Bloom, Overbrook, and Mary Boos (Conrad), Overbrook; eight grandchildren, Layne, Landon, Paige, Peyton, Broderick, Ava, Molly and Clayton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, Burlingame. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, at the Federated Church of Burlingame, with interment following at Burlingame Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Palliative Care at Stormont-Vail and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 194, Burlingame, KS 66413.
Condolences can be left for the family at Lamb-Roberts.com.
