Carol Joan (Palmer) Ebeler, one of two children of Wesley and Maxine (Wilson) Palmer, was born April 13, 1942 at Tushla Hospital in Auburn, Nebraska. She attended Auburn Public Schools, and graduated from high school in 1960. Carol was baptized in the Auburn Christian Church.
On December 10, 1960 Carol was united in marriage to Wesley Dean Ebeler in Falls City, Nebraska. This union was blessed with four children: Teresa, Chris, Gary, and Mark. The couple lived in Nebraska City for a short time before moving to Auburn to live out their lives.
Carol was first and foremost a homemaker, taking care of things at home and raising her children. Early in her life she also worked at the Auburn State Bank, and later worked at Auburn City Hall.
As a member of the Auburn Christian Church, Carol served for a time as the church organist. She was the first president of the Auburn Eagles Auxiliary, and held other offices in the organization. Carol was instrumental behind the scenes in helping her husband Wes with the Legion Baseball program. She enjoyed bowling, crocheting and knitting, and working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She had a fondness for the mountains and hummingbirds. Most of all, though, she loved being with her grandchildren.
Carol became a resident of the Nemaha County Good Samaritan Center in Auburn in April of 2005. It was there she passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2007, having reached the age of 65 years, 3 months, and 21 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald Palmer, and by her husband Wes on October 11, 2006.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Teresa and Gary Smith of Ericson, NE; Chris and Todd Franke of Auburn; sons and daughters-in-law Gary and Amy Ebeler of Lincoln; Mark and Susan Ebeler of Oak Ridge, TN; grandchildren Tara, Travis, and Nathan Smith; Glenn and Michael Oliver; Tyler and Tanner Ebeler; Christina Alvarez; Alexander, Sarah, and Lisa Ebeler; nephew Don Palmer of LaVista, NE; other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at the Auburn Christian Church, officiated by Rev. Frank Zimmerman and Rev. Bob Cole. Carlene Andrew was organist for congregational hymns. Honorary bearers were grandchildren Tara Smith, Travis Smith, Nathan Smith, Glenn Oliver, Michael Oliver, Tyler Ebeler, Tanner Ebeler, Christina Alvarez, Alexander Ebeler, Sarah Ebeler, and Lisa Ebeler. Inurnment of ashes was in Sheridan Cemetery west of Auburn.