×

Carol June Coates

Carol June Coates

A Beautiful Life Well Lived

NORWAY – On Oct. 27, 2019, Carol June Coates went to her heavenly home while in her daughter’s loving arms, with family by her side. Carol was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and nurse. In all of her roles, she loved and cared for others with her entire soul.

Carol was born June 5, 1943, in Sault Ste. Marie, daughter of the late Margaret (Warren) and Garfield Thoresen.

After high school, she attended Northern Michigan University and graduated with a licensed practical nurse degree. Nursing was her passion and she cared for many patients for over 40 years. She admired the service of our veterans and spent the majority of her nursing career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iron Mountain. She had a strong work ethic and received awards for her outstanding service.

Her greatest passion and role was being a mother. Her unconditional love and compassion was the strong foundation she instilled in her children: Rhonda Coates of Peoria, Ariz., Lee (Sherilyn) Coates of Norway, Eric (Jenny) Coates of Dayton, Ohio, and Daymon Pancheri of Appleton, Wis.

She cherished and was proud of her grandchildren: Katrina (Bailey) Whitehouse, Jonathan (Katherine) Coates, Joshua Coates, Ana Coates, and Benjamin Coates. She was excited to hear the announcements of her great-grandchildren: Madisyn Kaminski, Emmett Whitehouse, and Jarrett Coates.

Another passion of Carol’s was her dogs; she had many fur-babies throughout the years. Some of her favorite pastimes were spending time with family and friends, crocheting, planting marigolds in the summer, and volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul. She also enjoyed traveling and the Grand Canyon was her favorite place to visit.

Carol was a true inspiration and made a positive difference in many people’s lives. She was a woman of faith and a loyal friend. She was always willing to help others in need. She was strong and courageous and persevered during life’s challenges. She brought joy to many and made many more laugh with her humor.

Auntie Carol will be remembered by her nieces, Mindy (Mark) Thoresen-Sertich, Sonja (Chris) Soto and nephews, Scott (Darlene) Thoresen, Matthew (Robin) Heikkinen, Christopher (Jaime Honaker) Heikkinen, Robert Heikkinen and Rick Schramm.

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her siblings, Gary (Genny) Thoresen and Rhonda Heikkinen.

Carol’s children would like to thank the staff at Mary’s Place of Benevilla and Sherri and Angela for the love and care they showered our mother with over the past several years. Your kindness and dedication to our mother filled her last years with great joy. Also, to family and friends, especially Sonja, Deb, and Liz, who provided support to both Carol and Rhonda, you will forever be appreciated. Everyone’s loving care and kindness will always be remembered.

Carol’s beautiful life and legacy will be honored on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Norway, with Rev. Michael Langlais officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Benevilla at https://benevilla.org/donate, where the proceeds will go to assist persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and their families. In the note section of the Paypal document, please reference: “In Carol Coates’ Memory.” Benevilla is an organization that is eligible for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit.

Mama, we did it! You are the best mama ever. We love you the mostest!