Obituary: Carol Heltzel

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In memory of

Carol Heltzel

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls from complications of Covid-19 at the age of 68

Carol Ann (Johnson) Heltzel passed away February 10, 2021 At the Sanford hospital in Sioux Falls from complications of Covid. Carol was born on May 18, 1952 in Seattle, WA to Tom and Perry Johnson. She was the second of seven children in the family. Carol was an army brat and lived many places around the world including several years in Germany, but she considered Tampa, FL her home.

In 1973 Carol made a trip to South Dakota with her good friend Shelly (Bauer) Johnson where she met her future husband. After a short romance she married John Heltzel on November 30, 1973 in Philip, SD. Together the two of them raised six wonderful children who were the light of her life, Eric (Jennifer) Heltzel of Philip, Brad (Jackie) Heltzel of Philip, Danielle Scott (Eddie) of Des Moines, Denise Huyser (Matt) of Sioux Falls, Kevin Heltzel of Philip and Keith Heltzel of Philip. From this group they were blessed with ten grandchildren.

Carol spent much of her adult working life advocating for and working with children with disabilities including working For the Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange in Denver, Catholic Social Services of Rapid City and the State of South Dakota.

Carol is survived by her husband of 47 years John, her six children and ten grandchildren. She is also survived by four sisters and two brothers Kathy Keenan of Austin, TX, Tom Johnson (Shelley) of Arlington TX, Sue Heltzel (Donny) of Burleson, TX, Tim Johnson (Cathi) of O’Fallon, MO, Mary Leach (Bean) of Milwaukee, WI, and Becky Clark of Austin, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Perry Johnson, her father-in-law James Heltzel and a nephew Mark Pederson.

Private family services will be held and interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 105 Philip, SD 57567.

Private family services will be held and interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

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My condolences to her family. ~ Joyce Janner Herrick Greenwood, SC (2/15/2021)
Please know how much we will all miss her. She was so cool n a friend forever. Hugs, thoughts, and prayers to comfort you at this time. ~ Nancy Neville Philip (2/13/2021)
So shocked to read of Carol's passing. Our deepest sympathy to the Heltzel families. May the love of family and friends help comfort you in the days ahead. ~ David & Karen Webb Rapid City, SD (2/13/2021)
John & family, I'm so saddened to hear of Carol's passing. She took such wonderful care of my parents, Earl & Erma and they loved her dearly. She was 1 of the few who they were comfortable with. She had such a beautiful & loving heart. She will definitely be missed by each & every person whose life she touched. My heart felt sympathies to you all. ~ Cindy (Gabriel) Nuzum Wall, SD (2/13/2021)
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Kenneth & Linda McIlravy Philip (2/13/2021)
John and family ~ so sorry to hear of your loss. May God sustain you in the days ahead! Sending my deepest sympathy! ~ Judy Goldhammer Wall, SD (2/13/2021)
~ Donna Carter 9216 Duffer Ct. Hudson, FL 34667 (2/13/2021)
Our deepest Condolences go out to all the Heltzel family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. ~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (2/13/2021)
So sorry to hear about Carol, prayers for all. ~ Joann Stark Iowa (2/12/2021)
We are so sorry to hear about Carol. She was a great wife and mother. , sister and friend. Keep all the good memories close to you as you remember her. Our prayers are with John and all the family.
Rick and Nancy (Pekron) Ehrhardt ~ Nancy Ehrhardt BRANDON (2/12/2021)
We are so sad about the loss of Carol. She was a beautiful person and we feel so privileged to have gotten to know her and John over the years. She truly cared about her children and her neighbors and her kindness was reflected in all she did. ~ Victor & Allison Pugh Philip, SD (2/12/2021)
John & Family, So sorry to hear of Carol passing. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all. God Bless. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, SD (2/12/2021)
Raymond and I were shocked to hear of your loss. Carol and John were Jesus's vessel to our adopting Kagee and Jah. Carol was my go to as she was the best advocate for all children, and especially children with special needs. She had a gift yhat I admired, her knowledge of the rights of children. She has always owned a part of my heart. I do believe she carried out God's work here on earth. I pray for strength and understanding in the path forward. I can find the right words because loss is so very difficult. The beauty of heaven awaits us all, and I believe Carol is surrounded by all the little heavenly children.
~ Roxy Formanek Rapid City (2/12/2021)
We are so very sorry for your loss. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God hold you close during this very hard time and may the special memories you have in your hearts
help you through the difficult days ahead. ~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin Midland, SD (2/12/2021)