VINTON:  Carolynn Ruth (Powers) Garbers, age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2018, surrounded by family and friends following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, January 4, 2019 , at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Garrison with Rev. Mark Leckband officiating.  Interment will be held at the Garrison Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:30 pm Thursday at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel ( 212 E. 6 ^th St. ) in Vinton.  A memorial fund has been established.

Carolynn was born on November 11, 1933, the daughter of Roy Myrl and Verna Lorene (McFall) Powers, in Staples, Minnesota, and lived most of her life in the Benton County area.

Carolynn met and married William "Bill" Garbers Sr., the love of her life, while attending High School in Garrison.  They were married on June 1, 1952 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Van Horne, IA.  They were blessed with two beautiful children, Cynthia "Cyndee" and William "Bill" Jr. whom they loved with all their heart.  Carolynn and Bill farmed in both the Keystone and Garrison area and spent many hours sharing their contagious smiles, never ending love for life and giving attitude while mentoring to the youth, volunteering at their church or attending sporting events.  Carolynn was able to be a stay at home mom until her children were grown, at which time she became the Activity Director at the Keystone Nursing Care Center where she touched the lives of not only the residents but the staff as well.

Carolynn's love for God, family, church and community found her volunteering as organist/pianist at many church services, as "Melodee" the clown for St. Luke's Clown Connection, hospice volunteer for Hospice Compassus, serving as an officer on the Vinton Lutheran Home Board, the Cedar Valley Ranch board, as well as her church organizations.

She is survived by her daughter "Cyndee" Garbers; and grandchildren Joshua (Nicole) Ohrt, Summer (Danny) Meczkowski, Autumn Ohrt, Spring (Pierre) Wright, and Winter (Heath) Evens.  Her son "Bill Garbers, and wife Deb; and grandchildren Tiffnie (Curtis) Lamont, and Tiernie (Brad) Kluver; sixteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Patsy (Chuck) Campbell and numerous nieces, and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Carolynn was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1986; grandson Michael William Ohrt; father and mother-in-law Bernerd "Mike" and Frieda (Seboldt) Garbers; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois (Frank) Clifton, Phyllis (Dallas) Brunssen and Barbara (Albert Pickering) and (Ernest Dreesman).

On-line condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com