Carolyn Allegra King Fleck
Carolyn Allegra King Fleck peacefully left her terrestrial existence after a brief battle with cancer. She passed at 12:02 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, at Miller’s Merry Manor of Warsaw at the age of 83.
Born in DeKalb County on Oct. 29, 1936, Carolyn grew up in Columbia City one of six children of Harold Dewey King and Henrietta Packer King. She had previously expressed her assurance that her five siblings and parents would be waiting for her after her mortal probation.
Always a farm girl at heart, Carolyn led a simple, pragmatic and frugal life. She was humble, kind and loving. She followed the footsteps of her mother to major in education at Manchester College after which she taught third grade at Horace Mann Elementary School in Huntington for three years.
In 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Jan Lynn Fleck, and was happily married for 62 years. They both participated in band together, where she played the flute. Carolyn also played the auto harp in bygone days and enjoyed singing and humming melodies. She often sang hymns, songs from musicals and always had a song on her lips and a prayer in her heart. Never a demand for material things, she made do with what she had.
Carolyn will be remembered for her life of selfless sacrifice as a caregiver and rendering service to others as a daughter, sister, wife and foremost as a mother. Instead of continuing her career she decided to meet the challenge of being a mother and homemaker, or rather home-creator. She knew that no other success would compensate for a failure in the home.
She welcomed into this world six spirits: Debra, Michael, Julie, Amy, Rebecca and Erin. She tirelessly dedicated herself to creating heaven on earth in a white house on Main Street in Warsaw. She fed them with simple nutritious meals that included homemade noodles, rivels, fried potatoes, stews, pies, Sunday pot roast, homemade preserves and pickles from summer’s harvest, grape juice concentrate and tapioca pudding. She worked, cleaned and washed until her hands would crack and bleed and she nurtured their souls with a simple childlike faith. She comforted them with hugs and understanding, always taking the time to listen intently in time of need.
Carolyn and her husband joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1960 and became pioneers for their religion in Northern Indiana. Many opportunities to serve others were given to Carolyn throughout the years as she showed time and time again her Christ-like compassion for others in need, as she taught others the gospel of love and inclusion and as she magnified each and every calling. In 1978 her family made a miraculous journey to the Far West to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple in Utah.
The little time she accorded herself was spent on knitting, researching her family’s genealogy, recording her family history and reading books. She enjoyed historical novels, stories of the American frontier, nutrition, and books that would teach her something useful for her role as mother. She loved cats and took care of their needs long after her children had neglected their promises to look after them. Her only vice in life was chocolate milk, her only weakness her sweet tooth. Although her stubborn nature revealed itself with the passing years it was only because of her conviction that she knew best for herself and for her family.
In her final years Carolyn saw the fruition of her efforts as her family tree branched out with 20 grandchildren which blossomed to ten great grandchildren. If she were to express a final message to her family, she would certainly quote the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ quip, “’Can’t’ died in the poorhouse,” or perhaps, “Remember who you are.” Dear wife, dear mother, dear grandma, we will remember who you were and who you continue to be to us. Our wonderful memories of being together as a family are solely because of your lifelong efforts.
A private family graveside service to celebrate Carolyn’s life will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw and officiated by Brother Jay Bolduc.
In keeping with Carolyn’s life example, the family asks that in Carolyn’s memory no flowers or monetary offerings be made. We encourage you to treat others with kindness, acceptance and love and pay your good fortunes forward to others in need. Arrangements were entrusted with Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.