Dec. 26, 1945-Nov. 19, 2023
Carol Lee Steed Eskelson Olsonoski was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, but grew up in the greater Salt Lake City, Utah, area. She joined the armed services at 18 and served her country with basic training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. Her active service was at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco, California, where she corresponded between military patients and their congressmen and she prepared Purple Heart commendations. She later moved to Miami, Florida, then the majority of her business career and life in Phoenix.
Carol made many friends and grew her local church family while in Phoenix. St George became her home in 2020 so she could be closer to family and lifelong friends. Moving was a big adjustment and she felt she left her life’s accomplishments behind her when she moved. But she quickly adapted making many friends and always spreading her love and kindness to enjoy her final days on this earth.
Carol was especially proud to have served her country in the U.S. Women’s Army Corps. She received an Army commendation medal for meritorious service. Recently she accepted assistance from the Southern Utah Veteran’s Administration of St George for serving her country.
Carol was a faithful member of the LDS church. She was a service worker in the Phoenix, Arizona, and Cedar City, Utah Temples. Her church home in St George was Southgate LDS 3rd Ward in St George. She was a resident at Beehive Cottages, St. George.
In her family, Carol’s legacy as senior sibling will always be treasured and appreciated by her four sisters who valued her wisdom and advice. Carol held dear, her private grieving of her only infant son, Steven who passed from this earth when he was just hours old. She was also preceded in death this year by her faithful kitty companion Delilah and Carol’s heart was broken by the loss. She found comfort in believing her other furry companions with whom she found love and comfort along with Delilah would greet her at the Rainbow Bridge at the entrance to heaven.
Carol was a true soldier in life for her Heavenly Father, her country and her family. She always walked, head held high with faith and courage overcoming life’s hurdles and obstacles that got in her way. She believed the support of her savior, Jesus Christ shed light on the pathways through many of life’s trials and she was a successful survivor. In Carol’s last hours, she looked forward to her reunion with her mother, infant son and others in heaven to continue her work for her Heavenly Father. She passed away with a peaceful smile on her face as she crossed over to the light of Heaven.
She is survived by her sisters Janet Little, Susan Eskelson, JuliAnn Adams and Monique Mosley. Carol is preceded in death by her child Steven Olsonoski, her mother Rachel Tibbetts, her father Lynn Steed and her stepfather Guy Eskelson.
Gratitude to Anita and Rod Parry, Southern Utah Veteran’s Administration, Beehive Cottages Community, Black Hills LDS Ward, Intermountain Healthcare St George Regional Hospital, Intermountain Hospice of Southern Utah and McMillan Mortuary and Crematory.
A memorial service will be held at the SunRiver Veterans Honor Park, 1766 Wide River Dr, St. George, Utah, on Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. Friends and family welcome.
In lieu of flowers, a charitable account has been set up at a local credit union in honor of Carol’s generosity for people and pets in need. Contact sister Julie Adams at [email protected] for information on how to contribute.
Condolences may be shared on the McMillan Mortuary website.