BOONE, Iowa—Carolyn Mae Hudgens of Boone, passed away on her 76th birthday, Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.
Carolyn was born September 5, 1949, in Des Moines, the daughter of Hollis and Gerri (Kohler) Swanson. She graduated from the University of Iowa and loved watching the Iowa football and basketball teams.
Carolyn was a nursing professor at Grand View University for over 30 years, and loved all of her students. She had a passion for pediatric nursing. During her summers “off” she was a nurse at Camp Hantesa with the Campfire Boys and Girls.
Carolyn was a lover of all animals and over the years had beloved cats and golden retrievers, playful pigmy goats, and a large pot-bellied pig.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hollis and Gerri Swanson.
Carolyn is survived by her spouse, Suz Welch; children, Catherine (Neal) Weers, Caren (David) D’Cruz, Christina Hudgens and Greg (Lindsey) Hudgens; granddaughter, Laya and grandson, David; siblings, Carl (Jane) Swanson and Calista (Mike) Stewart and many step-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, 1006 6th Street, Boone, with Pastor Danny Housholder officiating. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service. A private graveside service will be held at a later date in the Des Moines Masonic Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Carolyn’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Carolyn Hudgens, 76, Boone, Iowa
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