W. Carol (Edwards Carpenter) Giesler

Winifred Carol (Edwards Carpenter) Giesler

Carol Giesler, 95, passed peacefully in her home on Thursday, April 2, 2026 with the loving presence of her close family members. Carol was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and known for her vivacious personality and unconditional love of her family.  Her active faith in Jesus was an integral part of her life and legacy.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., with the Funeral Service immediately following at 10:30 a.m., at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel.  

Carol was born in Kansas City, Mo to Barbara Becker Edwards and William Corydon Edwards on March 22,1931 and from early childhood was known under the adoptive maiden name Carpenter. She graduated from Moberly Missouri High School and from Washington University School of Nursing Diploma program in St. Louis Missouri in 1952. She later obtained her Bachelor’s Degree.

She married her hometown sweetheart, John Byron Giesler, on June 18, 1952, in Honolulu, Hawaii during his Navy enlistment.  John preceded her in passing on December 16, 2022.  They were blessed to celebrate 70 years of marriage prior to that on June 18, 2022. They had three children and multiple grandchildren.

During her career as a Registered Nurse, she was employed in areas of medical/surgical work, long term care, psychiatry (receiving her certification), house supervisor and oversaw the initiation, implementation, organization of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Research Unit in the 1960’s. In her mid to late life years, Carol also embraced her position as an Assemblies of God Pastor’s wife.  During her children’s young years, she was an energetic, full-time mother relishing that role and later her grandmother role as her most cherished positions.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her sister Evelyn Lewis, step-brother Harold “Bud” Carpenter, Jr.  and her parents.

Survivors include daughter Catherine Wilder (Kevin) of Columbia MO, daughter Mary, son Mark, granddaughter Lauren Becker, granddaughter Allison Thomas and several other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Prairie Grove Baptist Church, Columbia, Missouri

Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Giesler Family.

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