Carolyn Louise Homolka

Carolyn Louise Homolka, 84, of Kimberly, Idaho passed away in the comfort of her home as she held the hand of her beloved husband of 65 years. Carolyn was born in 1936 in Lincoln, Nebraska to James Herbert Dill and Gertrude Viola Frisbee. She spent the younger part of her life residing between Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska while attending school. When Carolyn was 12 years of age, she contracted Polio and became paralyzed from her waist down. Through extensive physical therapy and determination, she was able to walk again and made a full recovery. In 1951, at the age of 16, her family relocated to Grand Island, Nebraska where she worked as a full-time caregiver. While residing there, she met the love of her life, Rudolph Joseph Homolka. They later married and were blessed with 6 children. In 1967 their family moved to Kimberly, Idaho and later purchased acreage and built a home where they began to farm and maintain the land together. Carolyn dedicated her free time to teaching Sunday School, coaching young girls’ softball, and became a Cub Scout Leader as well as a Bluebirds Leader. Carolyn helped to provide for their children by becoming a seamstress so that she could keep them properly clothed. She loved to hunt and fish with her husband, and she also grew a garden and canned vegetables to help put food on the table. As her children became more self-sufficient, she worked within manufacturing facilities and later began driving a semi-truck with her husband. This gave her the opportunity to experience more of the United States. As time passed, Carolyn made the decision to stay at home so she could enjoy spending time with their growing family. While Rudolph worked outside the home, Carolyn began to foster and care for over 80 children of various ages through many years. They mutually agreed to adopt their daughter that they helped to foster, giving them a total of 7 children. At the age of 50, Carolyn returned to school to complete her high school education and graduated with her diploma to prove to herself that she could succeed. As she aged, she chose to stop fostering children and focus her time on adoring her many grandbabies. She made it a priority to use her skill as a seamstress to make each of their grandchildren a baby blanket. Carolyn had many hobbies which included gardening, canning fruits and vegetables she grew, sewing, knitting, collecting valuable dolls and figurines as well as planting beautiful flowers for herself and others to enjoy. Carolyn was a strong, resilient woman who spent her life helping others. Above all else, she was a devoted wife to Rudy whom she loved unconditionally. The two of them created countless memories throughout their 65 years of marriage to one another. Carolyn will be lovingly remembered by her husband Rudolph Homolka and her children Katharyn Crow, Daniel Homolka, Barbara Engle, Michael Homolka, and Katreena Homolka. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carliene Gillespie and son, David Homolka. Carolyn and Rudy’s profound love for one another has produced 7 children, 27 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren, and 85 foster children. Carolyn will continue to live on through the countless memories she shared with her family. She will forever stay in the hearts of the many lives she touched with her unconditional love and her ability to care for those around her.