Carole Mornin

NEW GLARUS, Wis. -- Carole June Crader Mornin of St. Louis passed away Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Brookdale Stonefield Memory Care in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Carole was born March 8, 1937, in St. Louis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Buford and Leora Crader of Marble Hill, Missouri; her sister, Barbara Ann Powers of Normal, Illinois; and her brother, Don Crader of Marble Hill.

Carole is survived by daughters, Laura Lee Mornin and Diane Carole Mornin (Mike) Zuniga; and granddaughters, Molly Lee Zuniga and Grace Caroline Zagurski of Chesterfield, Missouri. Also surviving are Don's children, Teri (Mike) Basnett of Fulton, Missouri, Stan (Debbie) Crader, Becky (Clay) Hurst of Jackson and Val (Soni) Crader of Burfordville; and Barbara's children, Carole Powers, Elizabeth Doss and LeAnn Powers, all residing in New Glarus.

Carole always said she had the best parents and grew up during the best of times in Marble Hill. They were members of Marble Hill Baptist Church. Carole and Barbara, along with Carolyn and Camille Hopkins, formed a gospel quartet and sang at revivals all over Bollinger County.

Carole graduated from Lutesville High School in 1955, then from St. Luke's Nursing School in St. Louis in 1958. For the next 42 years, she was devoted to her family and to her profession. Carole completed her master's degree in nursing from Saint Louis University in the 1970s, and began to focus on nursing administration.

When Carole's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Carole expanded her professional life to include the growing field of dementia. In 1992, Carole served as president of the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

She had a special place in her heart for the people of Bollinger County and often was called on for help in finding "a good doctor" for those with serious illness. She used to laugh about her "Marble Hill Patient File," which grew to a "foot and a half" in height as she assisted the people of Bollinger County. Carole retired in 2000 as the director of nursing at Saint Louis University Hospital, where her tireless devotion to patient care, staff training and program development earned the respect of her peers and the loyalty of her nursing staff.

While her professional awards and affiliations are too numerous to list, suffice it to say Carole was a force in the advancement of the nursing profession.

Carole was a member of Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in Chesterfield.

After retirement, Carole enjoyed traveling. While she enjoyed several ocean, Alaskan and European trips, she always said her favorite was visiting St. Petersburg, Russia. Carole was in awe of the music in St. Petersburg. Her love for music endured. Carole's exuberant singing will be greatly missed.

While Carole's disease affected her memory, her positive attitude, sense of humor and physical health remained strong. Carole received excellent care at Stonefield, and she was content.

When they were raising their families, Carole and Barbara made a point of being in Marble Hill for Easter. The family would attend Easter sunrise service and celebrate Christ's resurrection. In honor of that tradition, the family will celebrate Carole's life this spring in Marble Hill, where Carole's earthly remains will be laid to rest at the Old Baptist Church Cemetery in Marble Hill.

Memorials may be made to the St. Louis Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132.

Please share your memories at www.informedchoicefunerals.com/obituary/221328/obit.

Funeral arrangements were by Informed Choice Funerals of Madison, Wisconsin.