Carolyn Gail Richards, 92, of LaPorte, IN, passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018.
Carolyn was born Aug. 12, 1926, in Antigo, WI, to Paul and Blanche (Jewell) Dawley.
On Oct. 10, 1946, in St. Paul, MN,, Carolyn married Richard J. Richards, who preceded her in death on Jan. 31, 1998.
Carolyn was a member of Agape Christian Church. She loved participating in bowling, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, tennis, and playing horseshoes. She loved animals, bird watching, being outdoors, nature, and her family. She was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers.
Carolyn is survived by her twin sister, Carol (Dawley) Guenther; five daughters, Jacqueline Hardesty of LaPorte, IN, Susan Richards of Woodstock, IL, Kathy (Hugh) Tonagel of LaPorte, IN, Carol Richards of LaPorte, IN, and Jewell (Brian) Pahl of Winona Lake, IN; two sons, Paul (Kathy) Richards of LaPorte, IN, and Thomas Richards of Bass Lake, IN; 24 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Betty Zittel and Jewell Byrne; son-in-law, Rolland Hardesty; and daughter-in-law, Judith (Allen) Richards.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Agape Christian Church, 1601 I St., LaPorte, on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. The church will open at 10:30 a.m. Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
Carolyn has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northern Indiana Chapter, 7301 Georgetown Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268; or the LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 W. State Road 2, LaPorte, IN 46350; or Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46383.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dunes Hospice for their compassionate, loving care of their mother during her final week of life.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.