Carol A. Theobald

Carol Arlene (Harrold) Theobald, age 95, of Beaver City, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Beaver City Manor, Beaver City, Nebraska surrounded by family.

She was born July 30, 1930, to Pearl and Mabel (Goodwin) Harrold at the family home in Spring Green Precinct, Furnas County, NE. She was delivered by her father, since the Dr did not get there in time! She was the youngest of eight children. When she was five years old, the family moved north of Beaver City, where she attended the one-room school in District 61. She graduated from Beaver City High School.

On June 6, 1948, she married Carlton Kelley Theobald, always called “Booty.” In early 1949, they moved into a house on a farm just south of Beaver City, where she lived for 71 years. The couple had five children and Carol loved being a wife and mother, cooking, caring for her garden, canning and serving in the church and community. She was a wonderful baker and her family and friends enjoyed the many pies she made. She was a Brownie Scout leader and a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Then her life changed forever in one moment. After 17 years of marriage, Booty died suddenly on July 12, 1965. Carol was now the sole provider for a 20-month-old, 12-year-old twins and two teens. After the farm sale, they continued to live in the old house and adjust to this new reality. When Kathy entered kindergarten, Carol took a job in the Beaver City school lunchroom as a cook, where she worked for 11 years, followed by 16 years working at the Beaver City Manor. In addition, she worked at four cafes over the years, while raising the kids and handling so many things she never had to worry about before.

Yet, her service to others never ended. She was active at the Christian Church, where she cooked meals and taught for Vacation Bible Schools, taught Sunday School, served as Secretary of the Church Board and led singing or played the piano in evening services. She also prepared communion, held several positions in the Ladies’ Group and taught Bible studies at both the church and in her home. She helped with Sunday evening Youth Groups. She sang in cantatas and in the church choir.

Carol babysat for many local children and her home was open for teens who needed a place to stay for the summer. In fact, her home was open to a stream of friends and family who visited and shared coffee, or her wonderful meals and baked goods, as well as playing games and singing around the piano. She volunteered at the Fair with the VFW and also helped with the VFW floats in the Fair parade. She enjoyed traveling to visit her children and grandchildren and one of the highlights of her life was traveling to Israel. Later in life, she loved to go out to the Quick Shop and just visit with people in the community.

For her 90th birthday, 52 of her descendants gathered in Colorado Springs for a great three-day celebration. The last family sing-along was when we gathered in her room at the Manor just a week ago on March 11th to sing hymns and Christmas carols!

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, as well as her brothers and sisters: Ruth Brand, Kearney, NE; Edith (Fletcher) Black, Oxford, NE; Lloyd Harrold, Richland, WA; Paul Harrold, Abilene, KS; Mildred Barker, Morgan Hill, CA; Pauline Huff, Loveland, CO, and Don Harrold, Oxford, NE. She was also preceded in death by her oldest son, Stephen Theobald, Beaver City, NE, and an infant granddaughter, Amanda Jo Kasson.

She is survived by her other children, Sally (W. Sheldon) Lee, St Louis, MO; Pat (Amber) Theobald, Marshfield, MO; Pam (Dan) Kasson, Severance, CO, and Kathy (Mark) Newman, Colorado Springs, CO. Her memory will be cherished by 17 grandchildren: Ryun Theobald, Geneva, NE; Carrie Theobald, Seattle, WA; Rebecca Neavill, Cincinnati, OH; Amy Buchheit, St Louis, MO; David Lee, Newmanstown, PA; Alex Simkins, Washington, MO; Kelsey Kolb, Mountain Home, AR; Lance Theobald, Gastonia, NC; Jordon Theobald, Phoenix, AZ; Evan Theobald, Nixa, MO; Riley Davis, Kona, HI; Lilia Theobald, Marshfield, MO; Angie Ainsworth, Burbank, CA: Andrea McFarlane, Windsor, CO; Saraya Newman, Minneapolis, MN; Ashley and Kaley Newman, both of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren (and counting…)! She celebrated and loved her family and treasured them all in her heart.

Viewing and visitation will be Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 4 PM to 6 PM at Garey Funeral Home, Beaver City, Nebraska. Funeral service will be Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10 AM at the First Christian Church, Beaver City, Nebraska, with Pastor Keith Theobald, officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Beaver City, Nebraska. The family asks that memorials go to the First Christian Church of Beaver City.