Carolyn Jean Gordon , age 70, of Hartford, WI passed into the presence of her Savior on Monday, October 17, 2016 while in her home.
Carolyn Jean Nutter was born on October 2, 1946 in Clarksburg, WV to Virgil Clayton and Betty Jean Elliott Nutter. While living in Clarksburg, Carolyn’s family was invited to meetings at the EUB church. At the age of 12, Carolyn trusted Christ as her Savior.
After graduation from Morton HS in Morton, IL in 1964, she attended Fort Wayne Bible College followed by Child Evangelism Institute. Her heart of service to the Lord led her to minister to the Navajo Indians, and then was accepted by CEF as missionary to Quebec, Canada.
In 1968, while serving as the camp missionary at Camp Good News in Washington, IL, Carole met Mike, who was also serving at the camp as the director and preacher. They were engaged the following Christmas and married on June 28, 1969 at Waterman Bible Church, in Waterman, IL.
Mike graduated from Marantha Baptist Bible College in 1971, and Mike and Carole were called to serve at First Baptist Church in Hartford, WI in 1974.
While serving as pastor’s wife, Carole also served for 37 years at MBBC (currently Maranatha Baptist University) in a variety of positions including the front office, personal secretary to Dr.and Mrs. Cedarholm, and a long tenure in the Dean’s office.
Her love for the students of the college was not only reflected in the Deans’ Office, but also in her ministry at First Baptist.
Carole was a visionary for ladies ministries in the church. She began the Ladies Missionary Fellowship, the annual Ladies Christmas Tea, taught multiple Ladies Bible Studies, and multiple Sunday School classes- from beginners to adults. She was known for her love of God’s Word, love of truth, and a passion for pouring both into others. Carole was a mentor to many and a friend to all. Her hospitality reflected her heart of love for the Lord.
Carole is survived by her husband of 47 years, four daughters, Jennifer (Randy) Hockema of Lena, Il; Stephanie Gordon of Milwaukee, WI, Debra (Robin) Gibson of Rock Rapids, IA, and Bethany (John) Varner of Virginia Beach, VA; 8 grandchildren; mother Betty Jean Nutter of Peoria, IL; brother Clayton “Ric” (Joy) Nutter of Prescot, AZ and sister Linda (Jeff) Kaetterhenry of Sugar Hill, GA
Preceded in death by her beloved father Virgil Clayton Nutter and two grandbabies.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the First Baptist Church (112 Church St. Hartford, WI) from 4 – 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 10:30 a. m. at Calvary Baptist Church (792 Milford St. Watertown, WI) with visitation from 9 – 10:30a.m. on Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church. Burial Thursday, October 20 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Memorial to the First Baptist Church, Hartford, WI.