It is with great sadness and broken hearts that the family of Carol Harsch announces her passing on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.

Carol was born on May 30, 1945 in Port Alberni, BC to Arthur and Frances Dievert (Gunther). She was the eldest and only girl with five brothers. She grew up and attended school in Port Alberni. She took one year of nursing, before realizing that being a nurse was not for her.

Carol married the love of her life, Gordon Stanley Harsch, on Sept 18, 1964. They were married for 56 years until Gordon’s passing on Sept 17, 2020. Gordon and Carol lived and had their two children, Lisa (1965) and Ryan (1972) in Port Alberni.

In 1979 they moved to the farm in DeBolt, AB. Carol was mostly a stay-at-home mom and farm wife. She did work out of the home at the local cafe as a cook for several years. For many years she provided childcare for Lisa (Evan) and Laura (Sharlee and Jayme) – she loved being a part of “the girls” lives and to see how their families were doing.

Carol volunteered for the DeBolt Ag Society and the United Church Women’s group. Carol was also a volunteer Firebell for the DeBolt Fire Department. They spent many hours at the DeBolt Seniors Centre playing pool (Gordon), crib, scrabble and card games.

After retiring from farming, Carol and Gordon loved living on their acreage for several more years, before making the move to Lakeview Seniors home in Clairmont, AB in 2018. There, they enjoyed more card games, crib tournaments and bingo (don’t even think of calling or texting while they were at bingo or cards). Carol loved the activities and the community of Lakeview.

Carol loved to read books, do puzzles, knit, crochet and embroider/cross-stitch (she made many scarves while in the hospital). She loved camping (especially with the grandkids), going for drives, picnics, wiener roasts and wading in the Simmonette River on hot days. She had many holiday traditions that will be remembered and cherished always. She loved to watch Coronation Street, the Blue Jays, the colour pink and going to the Casino. She enjoyed listening to Abba and John Denver (she still had a couple of cassettes and CDs). She loved to do word searches and scratch tickets. She always had a purse that weighed 50 lbs and often set off the seatbelt sensors when on the car seat but she had almost anything you would need (and sometimes little extras, courtesy of Mike).

Carol leaves behind her two children Lisa Harsch and Ryan (Jill) Harsch; grandchildren: Josh Rieger, Evan Mowbray, Darrelle (Dylan Southern) Harsch and Reece (Jordan Quinanola) Harsch; great-granddaughter Collins Southern; brothers: Wayne Dievert, Norm (Leslie) Dievert, Allan Dievert, Danny (Patty) Dievert; sister-in-law Sharon Harsch (and family); life long friend Linda Sorenson; aunt Agnes (George) Bergen; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Carol was predeceased by her loving husband Gordon Harsch (we picture him sitting in the car, patiently waiting for her to get there), parents Art and Frankie Dievert, brother Leonard Dievert, sister-in-law Debbie Dievert, parents-in-law Art and Elsie Harsch and brother-in-law Don Harsch.

Carol has been cremated and her ashes will be interred with Gordon this Summer, with possibly a picnic in her memory. Until then we will go for a drive and find some Pussy Willows for her and will faithfully check to see if the crocuses are blooming.

Love you forever and always: Lisa, Ryan, Jill and the “grands”.