Carolyn Willa Kohler

1944 - 2016

Carolyn Willa Kohler, 72

Carolyn Willa Kohler, 72, of Iowa City died Thursday, May 5, at her home, following a month's illness. Visitation will be on Friday, May 6, from 4 to 7 pm. at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City. The funeral will be on Saturday May 7 at 11:30 am at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 2675 E Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52245. Memorials may be made to the Library of St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

Carolyn was born February 18, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Dorothy and Roger Seng, formerly of Nebraska. Carolyn grew up outside Chicago and attended Northern Illinois University, receiving her Master's Degree in Library Science in 1968. She was the head of the Government Documents Department at the University of Iowa Libraries from 1971 until her retirement in 2004.

She served on the Iowa State Library Commission and she assisted the U.S. Government Printing Office with programs for libraries containing federal documents. She wrote numerous publications for professional library journals. She also led many professional workshops, including one held in Brussels for EU librarians. From 1980-1985 she served as Executive Editor for United Nations and Foreign Government Documents for Government Publications Review. She received awards for her professional contributions, including the 2003 James Bennett Childs Award from the American Library Association for her lifetime contribution as a documents librarian, as well as receiving several certificates of appreciation from the University of Iowa Libraries for her long and outstanding service.

She also served Iowa City as a public elections official and as minute taker for planning and development commission meetings.

After retiring, she nurtured her spiritual nature. Following a three-year course of study, she became a Certified Lay Minister in the United Methodist Church. She trained to serve as a Stephens Minister, a one-to-one caring ministry to those grieving or ill. Carolyn enjoyed making many new friends through both programs. She led much-loved Bible study groups at her church, St. Mark's United Methodist, and at Legacy Retirement Community, where she lived. She also helped to lead monthly worship services at Legacy. She loved sharing her vast knowledge of the Bible and crafting thoughtful, compassionate sermons. One of her Bible study participants called her the smartest person that he knew.

Carolyn loved traveling in Alaska and Israel, visiting Backbone State Park, playing the piano, creating doll house furniture, watching Perry Mason reruns, coloring mandalas, cooking Swedish traditional foods at Christmastime, and playing with her beloved cat, Lily.

She is survived by a daughter, Nicole Kohler of Iowa City; a sister, Beverly Seng; friend and former husband James Allen Kohler; an aunt, Carol Seng; a nephew, John-Michael Seng-Wheeler; cousins Rebecca Seng-Lewis, Jeffrey Seng, and Julie Seng; and many devoted friends.

Please share memories of Carolyn with her family and friends online at www.lensingfuneral.com.

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