Carol Yvonne (Chapin) Ellingsen, 79, of Everton, MO passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.  Carol was born September 3, 1943, the daughter of Loren and Viola Chapin.  She grew up on the family farm in Rushville, MO and graduated from Rushville High School in 1962.

Carol's professional life took many turns.  She was a nurse in operating rooms and emergency rooms, allowing her to aid others at their most vulnerable times.  Her career later transitioned to being a flight attendant for TWA and American Airlines.  Her love of flying extended beyond her professional life, as she earned her pilot's license in the mid-80s, a time when female aviators were the exception in a male dominated field.  While at TWA, she met her husband Dean, and they embarked on a 31-year adventure together.  As their time at the airlines came to an end, and fearing that retirement would leave them bored, Carol and Dean expanded their farm in Everton, MO, raising cattle and making lifelong friends along the way.  Family members cannot recall Carol ever working a 9 to 5 job in her life.

Carol traveled the world throughout her adult years.  At times, her journeys started aboard a commercial airliner.  However, she and Dean often embarked in their own plane, flying as far as Alaska.  She returned with stories of visiting the Great Pyramids of Egypt, encountering a moose while snowmobiling in Yellowstone Park, dining with the Maasai tribe in Kenya, and countless other tall tales.

Carol loved a good meal, whether it was prepared in her own kitchen or ordered from the spiciest pages of a Mexican restaurant's menu.  She often saved room for ice cream, and always had a hidden supply in her freezer when grandkids and great grandkids were around.

Carol's love for adventure was matched only by her desire to instill this same spirit in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Whenever one of them takes a leap of faith, Carol's spirit will be with them.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Loren and Viola Chapin, siblings Dortha Gillis, Loren "Corky" Chapin, Jean Burchant, Warren "Skip" Chapin, and her husband, Dean.  Carol is survived by her three children, Karin Weber of Raleigh, NC, Christi (Trent) Reichert of Willard, MO, and Mick (Debbie) Conrad of Prairie Village, KS.  "Omie," as she was known to her family, treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as close family friends.