Carolyn S. Bahnsen, 89, formerly of Oak Harbor, Ohio, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, at Sundale Nursing Home, Morgantown, under Hospice Care. She was born Dec. 5, 1934, in Thompson Township, Seneca County, Ohio, to the late G. Merlin and L. Lenore (Elliott) Good. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Bahnsen, and brothers George (Ellen) and Robert (Ellen) Good. After graduating from Heidelberg College with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics, Carolyn moved to Oak Harbor, Ohio, to work for the county extension office. There she met her future husband during choir practice at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. They married on Oct. 19, 1958. While her children were young, Carolyn was a stay-at-home wife and mother.
Once her children were in middle school, Carolyn completed her Master’s degree at Bowling Green State University and became a learning disability teacher for middle school students in the BCS school district. She retired after more than 20 years of teaching with a basement full of “teaching aids”. Carolyn loved her students and kept in touch with several on into adulthood. Carolyn and Don were avid gardeners. Although they filled their basement shelves with jars of vegetables and tomato juice each year, Carolyn was particularly known for her bread and butter pickles. Their flower garden was just as robust. Carolyn had a knack for flower arrangements and shared many with many who needed their day brightened.
Carolyn taught numerous girls how to sew, cook and bake during her 10 years as 4-H leader. Always the teacher, she had the girls put their skills to use by holding dinner parties complete with her good china, silver and glassware. The parties included lessons in table settings and manners. Never one to sit still, Carolyn was an active member of the Port Clinton Mother of Twins, Colonial George Croghan DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), Ohio Bicentennial Committee, Farm Bureau, Ottawa County Home Economists, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, and St. Paul United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor where she was in the Church Choir, Hand Bell Choir, and taught Sunday School.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Douglas (Angela) Bahnsen, Diana (Ken) Snyder and Donna Wagner; 9 grandchildren, Bernadette (Aaron) Wireman, Austin (Constanza) Bahnsen, Morgan (Mitchell) Moorhead, Andrea Preston (Collin Frondorf), Steve (Emily) Anderson, Sterling Snyder, Tyler (Matt) Settele, Alex Wagner and Scott Wagner; 3 great-grandchildren, Emma Wireman, James Anderson and Maddy Bahnsen.
Visitation will be at Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Oak Harbor Chapel from 2-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. Funeral Services will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor, Ohio, with Rev. Darryl Hamm officiating. Burial will be in Salem Township Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor, Ohio. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ.
Condolences: www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com
