Carol Markheim, age 74, of Gering, Nebraska passed away August 2, 2024, with the comfort of her loved ones. Carol was born on March 31, 1950, in Crawford, Nebraska to Ellen and Gordia Hamlet (Nana and Papa) and grew up on the family farm with her sisters Joyce, Karen, and Alyce; a place where she found solace and joy. Upon graduation from Nebraska Western College, she married Randy Markheim on June 14, 1970, after which she taught lower elementary grades at School District 73, a two-room elementary school northeast of Bayard, Nebraska. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Chadron State College in December of 1986.
If you had the privilege to meet Carol you know three things about her; she loved her family dearly, she enjoyed being an educator, and she was a grandma to any and all children. Her 50+ years of teaching at School District 73, her own in-home preschool, and Scottsbluff and Minatare Elementary Schools touched the lives of many. She taught all levels of elementary students at Roosevelt Elementary from 1986-2012, after which she retired to spend time with her grandchildren. As a first grade teacher during this time, Carol was the recipient of the prestigious 2002 Nebraska Teaching Achievement Award presented by the Peter Kiewit Foundation of Omaha, recognized for her language arts project, “Student to Parent,” in which children wrote stories in English and used a laptop computer to translate them into Spanish. The parents of 14 of her 17 students spoke Spanish. The project helped involve the parents in their children’s education.
Her love of teaching and children found her returning to the classrooms at Minatare Elementary School in 2016 as “Grandma Carol,” helping the children in any way she could. Within this school, she subsequently accepted a position as a Special Education Paraeducator, and ultimately as the kindergarten teacher. It is clear to Carol’s family that she impacted the lives of many former students as they often mention to her family members fond memories of their time with “Mrs. Markheim,” “Ms. Carol,” or “Grandma Carol.”
Her legacy as a grandma will live on through her grandchildren Taylor and Jacob, Koby, Derek, Seth, and Jackson. Although they aren’t here yet, Carol was eager to meet her first great-grandchildren Adeline and Macie. Her family finds comfort knowing she will be watching over the newest additions to the family.
Carol is survived by her husband, Randy Markheim; children Doug and Jenn Markheim, Krysilen and Robb Yarnell, and Steffany Markheim; and sisters Joyce Ferguson and Karen Smith. She is also survived by her grandchildren, nieces and nephews who fondly knew her as “Aunt Bonnie,” former students, and found grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, “Nana and Papa,” her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wilbur and Ruth Markheim, her sister Alyce Gabel, and her brother-in-law Jon Smith.
A casual reception to celebrate Carol’s life will take place in the Ballroom at Hotel 21 & Co. in Gering, Nebraska on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. The family invites guests to wear Minatare Public Schools or Scottsbluff Public Schools apparel, or the school colors of red, white, and black.