Carol M. Steelsmith

Carol Marnette Steelsmith, age 79, of Manhattan, Kansas passed away Friday afternoon, June 21, 2019 at Stolzer House/Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, Kansas. Carol was born October 28, 1939 in Long Island, Kansas. She was the oldest child of Richard and Lucille Parker and was preceded in death by both of her parents. On October 24, 1958, she was united in marriage to Melvyn Steelsmith, who preceded her in death on January 12, 2018. They enjoyed 59 years in marriage together, and shared homes in Phillipsburg, Abilene, Topeka, and Manhattan, Kansas. She is survived by twin siblings: Blaine Parker (Marilyn) of Sylvan Grove and Elaine Nuzum (Paul) of Phillipsburg; 3 children: Curt (Becky) of Manhattan, Rick of Wichita, and Sheri of Tampa, Florida; and 4 grandchildren: Bradley, Kayla, Kyle and Brelle. In the early years of their marriage, Carol worked at the hospital in Abilene, and at Security Benefit Life and the Topeka Area Vocational Technical School in Topeka. She joined Mel in working at BG Consultants in Manhattan, Kansas, where they were fortunate to have worked together for many years. In her later years she worked various jobs to keep herself busy and really enjoyed her work at Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home. In the 1960’s they were part of a card group that formed with their very special friends in Abilene. The group met monthly for many years, and to this day continues to meet periodically. Their longtime friendship over the years has included many celebrations from births to golden wedding anniversaries. Over the years Carol was very active in all the churches that she attended, and really enjoyed her involvement in many capacities at the First Baptist Church in Manhattan for the past 40 years. She was a member of their Wednesday Prayer Group for 15 years and had a small group of women from the church that met regularly for meals, trips and fun get-togethers. Carol loved the role of mother and grandmother and cherished the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren, whether it be crafting, visiting the zoo, traveling, or just enjoying their company. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, June 28, 2019, from 6-8pm at Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, Manhattan, Kansas. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the First Baptist Church, 2121 Blue Hills Road, Manhattan, Kansas. Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church of Manhattan or Meadowlark Hills Parkinson’s Program (Manhattan, Kansas).