Like me, Carole was born on a farm near Norborne, Missouri to Lutheran parents, although unlike me her Dad was also a vocational agriculture teacher at the local high school.  Their farm focus was on raising and breeding sheep.  For years, Carole was part of showing sheep at the Missouri State Fair. Carole has one sibling, an older brother named Gary.  Carole attended Lutheran parochial school at the local Lutheran church through 8th grade.  Carole then attended the Norborne High School where her Dad taught.  After graduation Carole went to University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. and graduated with a lifetime teaching degree certified for K – 9th grade.  Carole started her career teaching the elementary grades but spent most of her career teaching 7th. grade science.  She also received her Masters Degree at Webster University here in Kansas City.  Carole retired from the Blue Valley School District in the Spring of 2009 with 26 years of service.  She continued substituting for Blue Valley until my disease demanded more of her time.  Her second career as a “nurse” is to my benefit!