Carol Abernathy

Abernathy, Carol L. MCFARLAND/ FESTUS, MO. - Carol L. Abernathy, age 71, of McFarland, formerly of Aliso Viejo, Calif., and Festus, Mo., passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 11, 2006. She was born on June 10, 1935, in Mexico, Mo., to Clifton Clarence Groves and Helen (Moore) Groves. Carol graduated from Missouri Baptist Nursing School in 1955. She worked at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Festus, in labor and delivery, and nursing administration for 25 years. Carol then spent three years working at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. For 20 years prior to her retirement, she worked at Orange Coast Memorial Hospital in Fountain Valley, Calif., in nursing administration. Carol retired in 2001 and moved to McFarland in 2002, where she was involved at the McFarland Historical Society and Christ the King Catholic Church. She enjoyed watercolor painting and flower gardening. Carol is survived by five children, Donna (Steven) Kleinhans of Huntington Beach, Calif., Sandy (Curt) Bakk of McFarland, Patricia (Bob) Bennett of Manhattan, Kan., Steven Abernathy of New Orleans, La., and Daniel (Delores) Abernathy of Phoenix, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew and Kelly Kleinhans, Erik, Meredith, Ian and Henrik Bakk, Brian Bailey, Bobby and Brooke Bennett, Vince Abernathy, and Mitchell and Jack Abernathy; a great-grandson, Brandon Abernathy; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Adolph V. Abernathy; a grandson, Konrad Bakk; and four brothers and sisters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5306 Main St., McFarland, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, with Father D. Stephen Smith presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 5 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to McFarland Education Foundation, 5101 Farwell St., McFarland, WI 53558; or University of Wisconsin Pediatrics Oncology Department, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705. Carol provided enduring love and support to her family, especially during Konrads illness. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com