Carol L. Loker

Carol Lorrain Loker, Appleton, age 102, passed away on March 12, 2012. She was born in Manawa, Wisconsin on August 30, 1909 the daughter of Chester and Nettie Stewart. She graduated from Manawa High School in 1927 and went on to Oshkosh Teacher's College, graduating in 1931. It was in college that she met her future husband James. After teaching junior high for 5 and a half years in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, she married James Loker on February 12, 1937 in Washington D.C. After moving back to Wisconsin, they lived in Omro and then Weyauwega before moving to Appleton in 1947. They joined the Memorial Presbyterian Church on March 22, 1948, where Carol would work at the church as the Church Secretary/Director of Christian Education for many years.

Carol was a teacher and a role model throughout her life, always there to help out anyone who needed help. During James' long fight with MS, Carol was always at his side. Through the many years as his primary caregiver she never viewed it as a burden. Her selflessness was a true inspiration to all who knew her. Family and friends were the most important things in her life, and she loved spending time with them. Whether in person, or in later years increasingly by telephone, she loved to visit with others. Always the educator, she read all types of books, sharing what she learned with all around her. An avid Packer fan, she enjoyed watching the games on Sunday afternoon. Carol also had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved a good joke. Whether through a joke or a kind word, she always had the ability to put a smile on someone's face. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Carol is survived by her son Don Loker; her daughter Mary Marcus; her grandchildren Daniel (Megan) Marcus and Lisa (Jesse) Cox; her great grandchildren Morgan Cox, Evan Marcus, Logan Cox, and Abigail Marcus. She was preceded in death by her husband James and her son-in-law Allan Marcus.

A memorial service will be held at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Appleton on March 25, 2012 at 2 pm with Reverend Michael Goodwin officiating. A time for visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 pm until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks the staff of The Gardens of Fountain Way and Oakridge Gardens for all of the care and support they gave to Carol.