Carole Rosalind Turek, longtime resident of the Olympic Peninsula, departed this earth to her heavenly home on February 18, 2024.
Carole was born at the Hoquiam General Hospital on March 30, 1939, to Inogene “Mable” June McKinney. Her father, Hans Frederick Brandt (1919-1939) died in a tragic accident and never met his beautiful daughter. Carole was later legally adopted by Mathilda Louise and Paul Leslie Roberts of Port Angeles.
At 17, she married her first husband Donald Gene Brewer and they had three children, Cheryl, Daniel, and Stacy. After that marriage ended, she moved back to Grays Harbor and married David Mason, with whom she had two more children, Lisa and Cassandra. That marriage ended and in 1981 she met Wayne L. Turek at the V.F.W. in Sequim. Wayne was the love of her life, her soulmate.
As a lover of Greek mythology, and Mount Olympus, Wayne and Carole married after a two-day hike to the High Divide, along with their children and friends, and a kind pastor who performed the “I Dos” and baptisms in Heart Lake. Carole and Wayne completed their nuptials amongst the mountain flowers in a magical moment captured in time for all eternity. Carole gained two step-children that day, Suzie and Morgan, and she claimed them as her own.
Carole had many professions starting as a strawberry picker in Port Angeles, a maid, dishwasher, “salad girl,” waitress at Aggie’s and Harrington’s, a hostess and manager at Traylor’s in Port Angeles, a car hop at the flying Saucer Drive-in Restaurant, Tupperware Sales Demonstrator, Secretary at Ovalstrapping Inc. and Port of Grays Harbor, playmate, waitress at the Morck Hotel in Aberdeen, and a successful real estate agent with Ted Brower Real Estate and other offices. She also worked as an Administrative Assistant with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Marshall’s Service in Seattle; and at City Hall in Poulsbo. However, her favorite role was being a wife and mother; taking care of her husband and creating a beautiful home.
Carole was a phenomenal artist, as an oil painter and sculptor, writer of poems, short stories, and children’s stories. She wrote to Presidents on how to win wars and solve problems, wrote to Joan Kennedy and received a reply on Joan’s personal stationery, and had her opinion pieces published in newspapers. Carole had ideas for so many things, however, her legacy project was the 501(c)3 non-profit group called “Grandma Do’s (G.Do’s).” Its purpose to Rescue, Restore, and Recycle the handwork of prior generations, creating beautiful works to sell; and preserving the family history, tools, and handiwork of the 18th, 19th and 20th century for future generations. Carole loved politics, and in 1974 she ran against a long-term house majority leader, although she lost, she received a substantial percentage of the vote. Carole’s provocative platform focused on the importance of representing the people of your district. She had dinner with President George W. Bush at the White House, and was invited to multiple inaugurations.
Carole is preceded in death by her beloved son Daniel Gene Brewer, her precious grandson Zachary Arbogast, and her brother Stanley “Bud” McKinney. Carole is survived by her loving husband Wayne; her brother Robert and sister Camilla; her children Cheryl McDonald (David), Stacy Brewer, Lisa Althar (Bob), Cassandra Mason, Suzie Turek (Chris), Morgan Turek (Katy); her grandchildren Derek Stimbert, James Althar, Jeremiah McDonald, Ashley Hallmark (Taylor) and Jacob Kelly; her great-grandchildren Britney, Lincoln, and Amyra; nieces and nephews; adopted brothers and sisters; and lifelong friends.
There will be a private family celebration of life at Carole’s favorite place in the Olympic National Park when sunny days arrive and flowers start to bloom. Remembrances can be made to the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank all the facilities, nurses, doctors, and aides, that made Carole so comfortable on her final journey.
