Obituary of Carol Rose Stark Neal
On July 31, 2021, Carol Rose Stark Neal, indefatigable bon vivant and perpetual cockeyed optimist, held her daughters' hands as she peacefully took her last earthly breaths and bravely opened her eyes one last time to embrace the adventure awaiting her beyond the veil. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her captivating megawatt smile, her capacious curiosity, and her open-hearted fearlessness. From the simple floral pattern on a Norwegian pewter button to the broad grandeur of her beloved Lake Tahoe, she relished beauty on every scale. None more so than the beauty she readily perceived within each person that she met, innately seeing the preciousness of an individual's humanity, regardless of appearance or circumstance.
Born to Orlin and Dorothea Stark in Stanhope, Iowa on Christmas Eve 1942, Carol would go on to live in some of America's most cosmopolitan cities (Chicago, New York, Los Angeles), yet Stanhope remained indelibly in her heart. Throughout the years, she enthusiastically attended Stanhope High School class reunions and joyously celebrated the small town's annual Watermelon Day, whether in person or from afar. A lifelong logophile, she studied English and Literature at Waldorf College and Drake University, ultimately graduating with a Master's in Psychology from Chicago State University. She went on to a long career in Special Education in which she impacted thousands of students with her infectious love of learning and her quirky but always memorable teaching style. An astute investor, she also had a keen acumen for Real Estate and even ran a floral business for a number of years.
Carol leaves behind many treasured family members, including daughters Anna Karine Blomdal and Dorothea Arin, son-in-law Imanuel Arin, sister Shirley Jorde, brother James Stark, five grandchildren who were her pride and joy, Dylan Bos, Jolynn Bernal, Eden Dowlen, Noah Arin, and Hannah Arin, nephews Weston Jorde, David Jorde, and Troy Stark, niece Marin Stark, and her long-time lifemate and partner in countless escapades, John Christ, along with his wonderful extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband Don Neal, her parents Orlin and Dorothea Stark, her brother Samuel Stark, and her cherished dog Breakfast.
A private Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in Las Vegas on August 15, 2021. Carol will be laid to rest at Lawn Hill Cemetery in Stanhope, Iowa on September 4, 2021 at 9:00 AM.
Memorial donations may be made to The Animal Foundation at 655 N Mojave Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89101 or at the following link: https://AnimalFoundation.com
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the amazing caregivers and staff at Las Ventanas who loved her as their own.
"Now my hair is flyaway white and I have the most beautifully developed lines on my face. The skin is so much more comfy now that it is not so tight--and it has been a fabulous life."
-Carol Rose Stark Neal