Carol Cowen Fawcett, quiet inspiration to all, died on August 30, 2026, at her daughter's home. She was 97.

Carol was born in Gladstone, Michigan in 1929. She was salutatorian of her high school class, then attended nursing school in Minneapolis, becoming an R.N. in 1950. She met her husband, Donald, when he was recovering from a back injury. He would ask for his toothbrush more often than necessary, just so he could talk to his lovely red-headed nurse, Carol.They married in 1951 and eventually settled in Eau Claire, where they raised six children

Carol delighted in puns and jokes, conquered word puzzles daily, loved apple pie with cheese, and played a formidable Mexican Hat Dance on the piano. She traveled widely; enjoyed music, especially live performances by her children and grandchildren; opposed book banning; and enjoyed playing bridge with her famously unorthodox playing partner, Don. Mostly she loved her family and often said she was never as rich as when they were all around the table.

She was an active member of her church, Lake Street United Methodist, for almost 70 years and cherished the camaraderie of her dear friends there. She served faithfully on the church's committees and community action teams, including as a Stephen Ministry caregiver to AIDS patients in the early 1980s.

She was steadfast in her faith and her commitment to integrity, concern for others, and gratitude and was inspired by the Apostle Paul's guidance: "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Carol believed that love is the strongest verb. "Love is a very powerful force and can do great things," she wrote to one of her daughters. "If we remain caring and loving we may answer a need-and what are we out by living that way?"

She was preceded in by her husband of 66 years, Donald, one brother, two sisters, and one grandchild. She is survived by 6 children- Fred, John (Marilyn Whitney), Mary (Lance) Boettcher, Karl (Camilla Hoffman), Janet (Terry) Weld, and Nancy and their families, including 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests donations to the ACLU, The Eau Claire Community Table, or Lake Street United Methodist Church in Carol's honor.

We will celebrate Carol's exceptional life on Saturday, September 12, at Lake Street United Methodist Church, 337 Lake Street, Eau Claire. Visitation is at 10:30, followed by a service at 11:30.

Share online condolences at www.lenmarkfh.com