Carol Ann (McGuire) Harbolt passed away while living at the Weatherly Inn in Kent, WA on November 25, 2022. She was born October 21, 1936 in Glasgow, Montana to Donald W. and Helen C. (Bergren) McGuire. She was the oldest of three children. Her father, Don, was working on the Fort Peck dam at the time. Carol's early years were spent in various towns in Montana, wherever her Dad could find work. The family moved to Kirkland, Washington where her Dad worked in the shipyards during the Second World War. Carol began her schooling at Rose Hill Grade School, but at the end of first grade the family moved to Hogeland, Montana and began life on their own farm. Carol graduated from Hogeland High School in a class of three in 1954. While living on the farm, Carol was very active in 4-H and the Blaine County 4-H Builders Club. Carol was also active in the debate club, school plays, and as a cheerleader at Hogeland High School. She attended Concordia College in Moorehead, Minnesota for one year before moving to Havre, Montana to work as a secretary at Valley Motor Supply. While living in Havre, Carol met the love of her life, Ray E. "Chuck" (as she called him) Harbolt. They were married June 17, 1956. The couple spent the first three years of their lives together in Missoula, Montana where Carol worked as secretary to the Registrar of the University of Montana, where her husband was a student. The couple eventually lived in Issaquah, WA where they raised their children; Deanna, Larry, and Kathryn. While raising her children, Carol was an active community member leading a 4H group, teaching confirmation classes, and partnering with a friend to establish the first community recycling center in Issaquah. She was also a hard-working gardener, a wonderful seamstress, and took in stray dogs. Carol and Chuck also opened up their home to many other children and young adults who needed a place to live. Carol would often awaken her children in the morning by playing either the accordion or piano and singing at the top of her lungs!
In addition to being an active parent and community member, Carol became the first secretary at Our Savior Lutheran Church where her and Ray were members for over 50 years. She later became a Senior Secretary at Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, from which she retired. Carol spent a lot of time volunteering as a member of Farmers Partners in Pride Committee, and was named runner up in the nation for the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Community Service Award in 1999. Carol was a natural born teacher. In her spare time, she taught the Bethel Bible Series at her church, keyboarding at Mercer Island, WA Middle School, calligraphy, soap making, and scrapbooking. She loved learning new crafts and teaching them to her friends. She loved baking bread and trying out new recipes.
Carol was proceeded in death by her mother and father; and her brother, Dennis McGuire. Carol is survived by her husband Ray of Maple Valley, WA; daughter Deanna Hayes (Michael) of Grand Haven, MI; son Larry Harbolt of Preston, WA; daughter Kathryn Rotter (Matthew) of Winlock, WA; grandson Zach Rotter of Seattle, WA; granddaughter Dani Harbolt of Renton, WA; granddaughter Emma (Andrew) Nolan of Port Orchard, WA; grandson Joel Rotter of Winlock, WA; granddaughter Jamie Harbolt of Renton, WA; sister Gladys Keister of Calgary, Alberta; sister-in-law Ilona McGuire of Hogeland, MT; aunt Vernice Doughton (age 101) of Billings, MT; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as many loving and committed staff at the Weatherly Inn. Her memorial service has taken place on Friday, December 9, 2022 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Issaquah, WA beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family would like everyone to reach out to someone you care about and tell them you love them, or visit someone you haven't seen for a long time.