Carol Kolk
September 02, 1933 - July 21, 2026
Obituary
FULTON, Ill. - Carol L. (Weiss) Kolk, 92, of Fulton, Ill., died July 21, 2026, in Wisconsin.
Carol was born on September 2, 1933, at home on the family farm (near What Cheer, Iowa) to Albert and Leah (Rank) Weiss. After graduating from Thornburg High School as valedictorian, Carol attended Central College, Pella, Iowa, where she earned a teaching certificate and met her husband Robert “Bob” Kolk. They were married in 1953 and lived in Knoxville, Iowa, where Carol taught elementary school. A move to Fulton, Ill., in 1956 began a life there for nearly 70 years.
Carol and Bob raised sons Kevin, Dan, and Mike. Following Bob’s death in 1987, Carol was single until 2008. She subsequently married Gene Klimstra (Bob’s college roommate). Gene passed away in 2021.
Carol worked at Clinton Corn (later ADM) as a research librarian for 24 years, retiring in 2001. Her passion for reading led to positions at the Fulton Public Library before and after retirement.
As an advocate for community participation, Carol proudly served as alderman for the City of Fulton, a member and elder at Second Reformed Church, a library board member, a Dutch Days Grand Marshall, a member of Friends of the Fulton Windmill, and a volunteer community gardener. She was a book club member for 38 years.
Survivors include her sons, Kevin (Jan), Dan (Beth) and Mike (Nancy); eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; five nieces; four nephews; stepdaughter, Robin Klimstra Kelley; and a plethora of cousins, relatives, and friends. Carol was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Neva; brother, Ken; and her two husbands.
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
A memorial service will be held at CrossView Church, 703 14th Ave., Fulton, Ill., at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420