Carol Oakley

Mass of Christian Burial for Carol Jean Oakley of Gillette, Wyoming will be held at 10:00a.m., Friday, April 20, 2007 at St. Mathews Catholic Church with Father Cliff Jacobson officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Pisgah Cemetery. A public gathering will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2007 at St. Mathews Catholic Church with a rosary at 7:00 p.m.Carol Oakley, age 57, passed away Tuesday April 17, 2007, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota as a result of complications following heart surgery. Carol was born October 18, 1949, the 1st child of Robert and Florence Nelsen in Mitchell, South Dakota. She attended school and graduated in Stickney, South Dakota. Carol then moved on to college in Springfield, South Dakota, where she was pursuing her teaching degree. June 3, 1968, Carol married Donald Oakley from nearby Mount Vernon, South Dakota, son of Melvin and LeeOna Oakley. They were married in Stickney and soon put down roots in Mount Vernon. Don and Carol welcomed 3 sons, Michael, Patrick, and Timothy before moving to Gillette, Wyoming in 1980, where their final son Steven was born. Carol spent 18 years putting her heart and soul into helping and educating children at Twin Spruce Junior High School. On top of working full time, Carol also managed to raise a family of 4 boys and a grandson. Carol still managed to squeeze in her 4 year Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Service, an associates degree in Business Administration, and she spent extended time with the local Toastmasters organization. Carol was well known for her ability to decorate and bake the most delicious cakes, anything from a birthday cake, to an extravagant wedding cake. Carol thoroughly enjoyed music and dancing, there was always a snappy tune beating in her step. If you were ever in a bad mood, a short road trip with her and her tunes would leave you smiling and energized. She also enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was fishing, camping, riding the atv's, or just driving around in the hills, Carol understood and cherished the pleasure of simple things. Her love and compassion extended to anyone who needed it; many times she would sacrifice her own good just to help others. Anyone who knew Carol would attest to the fact that she wholeheartedly loved her family; nothing gave her more pleasure than seeing her family together as one. If you ever spoke to Carol you were sure to hear about her grandchildren, they meant more to her than anything. She would sacrifice anything and everything for them. Carol is survived by her loving husband, Don and their family; Mike Oakley and his son Jeremy; Pat (Jessica) Oakley, Tim (Rachel) Oakley and their son James, and Steve (Erin) Oakley and their daughter Molly all of Gillette, Wyoming; parents, Bob and Florence Nelsen of Stickney, South Dakota; brother, Bob and Tana Nelsen of Worland, Wyoming. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Program). Memorials and condolences may be sent in Carol?s name in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.