Carole Eklund

Carole Eklund Born 1/13/50- Died 9/27/23 Carole was born in Tulare, California on January 13th, 1950 to Dr. Edward Eklund and his wife Ame Eklund (a psychiatric nurse). Carole was a shy, dreamy girl who loved animals even at a young age. She had 2 Siamese cats as her best friends as a young girl, and often walked around with a pet parakeet on her shoulder.

Carole grew up playing outdoors with her 3 siblings on their bikes and played cowboys & Indians on the many acres above Napa State Hospital (where the doctor residences were). Her family enjoyed camping, and went on a yearly camping vacation- visiting some of the most beautiful state parks on the west coast. The Eklund family had many hilarious stories about their vacations. If you said “we’ll never make it to Oregon” or “this is the fairy princess” you will get an outburst of laughter every time.

Carole was in Job’s Daughters in her early teen years, along with her sisters. The family then moved from Napa to Atascadero in December of 1965 and Carole left Napa Senior High in Napa to enroll in Atascadero High School where she graduated in 1968. After relocating to Atascadero, Carole joined the riding group the Wranglerettes, riding a palomino named Specter. She enjoyed trail rides, gymkhanas and horseback progressive dinners with her fellow Wranglerettes.

Carole was highly intelligent and was a member of the Mensa Society which requires a high IQ for membership. She had a quick wit and dry sarcasm that made you laugh.

Carole loved fishing & often took her nephew Nathan Dawes fishing. She also took a gun safety course, bought a gun and went shooting with her nephew Travis Dawes. She was a true “Best Aunt Ever” and went to all the graduations and special events for her nephews and nieces living in California.

Carole was a member of the local Lutheran church where she went through confirmation in Atascadero. She occasionally attended services with her mother Ame Eklund. Ame ended up being wheelchair-bound and Carole faithfully cared for her until her death.

Carole’s work career began as a motel maid in San Simeon, and she went to work at Atascadero State Hospital in 1971 at the age of 20. She became a psychiatric technician and then unit supervisor there. Carole went back to school and got her degree in computer programming, and afterward did programming for the state hospital. She worked there until her retirement.

Carole had a lifelong love relationship with her dogs, and was actively involved for many years in the local kennel club and SLODOG (Santa Lucia Open Dog Obedience Group). She had the honor of being a dog obedience show judge and ring clerk at many a show. She trained her dogs with Eileen Harnedy of Canine Academy, doing obedience work, agility and flyball. Eileen and Carole became lifelong friends. Carole made many other friends in the dog world including Lisa Conklin, who showed some of Carole’s dogs.

Carole owned Calia - Cavalier Kennels and produced, trained and showed Belgian Tervuren, Malinois and Sheepdogs. As part of her dog breeding program Carole co-bred litters with long time friend, Sandi Weldon, under the MonAmi - Cavalier kennel names. Many of their dogs went on to become obedience and conformation champions.

Carole spent most of her holidays with her sister Lora & husband Wesley, and her brother Erik & wife Willa. She loved to go to the movies with Lora and was an avid reader all her life.

Carole moved to Idaho after retiring, and then spent all her time with her sister Sandy & her husband Earl White. She enjoyed the entire White family and especially got to know her niece Richelle White who was her realtor for the home she bought. Richelle introduced Carole to fancy chickens, and Carole ended up with chickens and a coop.

Carole was known for loving all things blue, all things sparkly and all things soft. Her heart was true blue, she was sparkly with joy and her heart was soft with love for her family and friends. She spent her last years with her sister Sandy’s love surrounding her.

Carole was preceded in death by her father Dr Edward Eklund and her mother Ame Eklund.

Carole is survived by sister Sandy & Earl White (nephews Erik (& Missy) Cary, Mark (& Melissa) Cary, niece Michelle (& Casey) Rush, nephew Tony (& Richelle) White, Dave (& Susan) White, Steve (& Cynthia) White, Sylvie White) .

By sister Lora & Wesley Dawes (nephews Travis Dawes, Nathan (& Julie) Dawes, and niece April Wilkerson)

By brother Erik & Willa Eklund (nephews Brian (& Jennifer) Eklund, Matt (& Kendra) Eklund, and Jeff (& Chelsea) Eklund, plus multiple great nieces & great nephews on all sides of her family.

Carole will be greatly missed by all her friends and family. Wear something blue and sparkly in her honor and do something kind for a dog. We know she is watching (and smiling) from heaven.