Carol Van Boskirk, 66, of Nederland, died peacefully on December 13, 2012, at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas with her husband and children at her bedside.
Carol was a housewife and Lamar University Accounting graduate but chose to follow her passion of quilting and sewing. She was a member of the Golden Triangle Quilt guild, winning numerous awards for both quilts and wearable art.
She was born on October 21, 1946, in Williamsport, PA, to Eleanor Jean (Ritter) Gottschall and Charles Leon Gottschall. In her early years, she lived in several Pennsylvania towns along the Susquehanna River and moved to Dayton, Ohio, when in high school. She attended The Ohio State University where she met and married Bruce. After Bruce’s graduation, they moved to Midland, and then Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In 1977, Bruce and Carol were transferred to Nederland and the children started school in Texas at Helena Park Elementary and C.O. Wilson Jr. High. All three children attended and received degrees from Texas A&M University.
Carol was a den mother when the children were in Cub Scouts and was in Aggie Moms when the children were at the university. While in Aggie Moms, Carol designed and made bluebonnet quilts for their primary fund raiser.
She and Bruce also belonged to Midcounty Newcomers Club and Newcomers Bridge Club. Carol served as president for both groups. She also supported and assisted Bruce in Junior Achievement and when Bruce started the Golden Triangle Wine Guild.
She was also an avid reader of mysteries, and bridge and pinochle player. Carol enjoyed cooking for family gatherings, and had an extensive teapot collection. After the family dog, Cleopatra, passed away she bought several cockatiels, two of which turned out to be the parents of several dozen chicks. She loved hand feeding the chicks, which brought many compliments on how friendly and loving the birds were.
Carol enjoyed travel, particularly trips to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Poland, and the Azores. Cathedrals and castles were always a must see. Several trips to the Polish pottery factories stocked her kitchen with numerous pieces of Polish pottery for cooking and baking.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Van Boskirk of Nederland; sons, Scott Van Boskirk and his wife, Pamela, of Nederland and Keith Van Boskirk and his wife, Jazmin, of Lumberton; daughter, Karen Ray and her husband, Bernie, of Rotonda West, Florida; sister, Cathy Wilson and her husband, Gary; brother, Chuck Gottschall and his wife, Linda; and sister-in-law, Jane Van Boskirk. Grandchildren are Rachel Ray, Gideon Ray, Nathan Ray, Eileen Van Boskirk, Mollie Van Boskirk, and Callie Van Boskirk.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, John Van Boskirk.
A gathering of Mrs. Van Boskirk’s family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, December 22, 2012, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland.
