Carolyn Ruth Holle was born January 1, 1934 to William and Ruth (Kipple ) Soderland at their home in rural Decatur county. Kansas. She died Sunday, December 20th, 2015 at the Phillips County Hospital, Phillipsburg Kansas at the age of 81.

Carolyn spent her early childhood years on the farm where she was born, and often recalled spending special times at home with her mother while her two older sisters attended school. She began her grade school years in Kanona, Kansas and continued her education in Oberlin, when the family moved there in 1942. Carolyn's was 13 years old when her mother passed away, and this event changed the direction of her young adult life. The compassion and guidance given to her by other people during this time was never forgotten, and she tried to model her life in the same manner, meeting each person with kindness and respect.

Carolyn graduated from Oberlin High School in 1951, excelling in typing, bookkeeping and shorthand classes. She became an accomplished young musician, playing saxophone in band and accompanying the school choir. After attending one semester of college in McCook Nebraska, she returned home, seeing the need to help her father and younger brother, Bill.

In 1954, mutual friends introduced Carolyn to her future husband, Lavern Holle of Ludell, Kansas. They were married August 24, 1958, and moved to Manhattan, Kansas where Vern completed his final semester at Kansas State University, and then to Eureka, Kansas after college graduation. To this union, one daughter, Jean Ann was born. They returned to Western Kansas in 1961, living in Herndon for 12 years when Vern accepted an employment opportunity with the bank in the Herndon community.

Carolyn, Vern and Jean Ann moved to Agra, Kansas in 1973 when controlling interest was purchased in the Farmers National Bank, Agra. Working daily by Vern's side for 37 years, her work ethic and daily dedication to the operations of the bank completed the team effort needed to successfully manage the business. Her greatest joys came from 51 years of marriage to Vern, her relationship with Jean Ann, Stan, Eric and Kristin, and the opportunity to visit with the host of community people who enriched her life on a daily basis. Carolyn expressed her love for God through her church music, but mostly through her exceptional desire to see the best in people and encourage them through their difficult times.

Preceding Carolyn in death are her parents, husband Lavern, sister Mayre and husband Vernon Pittenger, sister Ramona and husband Harold Hornkohl, sister in law Patricia Soderlund, brother in law Francis Holle and wife Violet, brother in law Delos Holle and wife Kathy, and sister in law Ruth Collard and husband Ernest.

She is survived by daughter Jean Ann Wagner and husband Stan of Phillipsburg; grandson Eric Wagner of Manhattan, Kansas; granddaughter Kristin Wagner of Wichita, Kansas; her brother Bill, of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2015 with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. Burial will follow in the Agra Cemetery.

Mrs. Holle will lie in state from Noon until 9 P.M. Tuesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Agra Fire Department or Lutheran World Relief.