Carol Wightman

Carol Wightman, 68, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2020, at UnityPoint Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Online Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2020, via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please email carolsmemorybook@gmail.com for more details. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is caring for Carol and her family. Survivors include her husband, Terry of Cedar Rapids; children, Joshua of Cedar Rapids, and Alison (Matthew) Cahill of San Francisco, California; sister, Ann (Charles) Wheeler of Jacksonville, Florida; sister-in-law, Marsha Wightman of Denver, Colorado; and many extended family members and friends. Carol Jean Evans was born September 19, 1951, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Vern and Vernice (Josiassen) Evans. She graduated from Norfolk Senior High in 1969, then attended the University of Nebraska, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from the Nebraska College of Law in 1976. At Nebraska, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. While they were at Law School, Carol married Terry Wightman on December 28, 1974. She passed the Bar Exam in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she practiced law and later taught High School English. Carol and her husband loved the Duluth, Minnesota area and spent many wonderful escapes along the shores of Lake Superior. In Minnesota is where they had their first adoption of two Korean babies. After adopting their second they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After moving to Cedar Rapids, Carol became a Professor of Speech & Communication for many years at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, where her passion for teaching flourished and in turn was well loved by her students. She truly loved all people. One of her signature mottos was 'Actions speak louder than words'; she reflected this in her actions by always sharing a smile, an open heart, and sage advice'a teacher through and through. Carol was an advocate and focused mother for her children, both becoming the center of her life. She was a devoted partner and companion for 45 years to her husband. She loved cooking, traveling, her toy poodle, Ginger, and cheering for Nebraska (Go Big Red!). Carol and Terry are long time members of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. She was a tremendously positive person despite her many health setbacks and brought so much joy to so many people over her life. Carol was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials may be directed to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. Because Carol was such an excellent storyteller, the family would like to collect any stories, pictures, and videos from her family and friends to create a Memory Book. Please email these to CarolsMemoryBook@gmail.com.