Carole Blixt

Carole Blixt, age 78, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Brookdale Senior Living Facility in Junction City, Kansas. She was born on January 5, 1948, in Junction City, Kansas to Loren 'Ralph' and Viola Empson.
Carole graduated from Concordia High School in 1966. She married Lennie Blixt on February 16, 1979, in Abilene, Kansas, and they spent many happy years living in Chapman, KS.
Carole proudly served for 31 years as a civilian employee of the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kansas, retiring as the Director of Contracting in 2003. Throughout her distinguished career, she held a variety of supervisory, managerial, and leadership positions across several functional areas. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, mentorship, and mission readiness left a lasting impact on the installation and the many professionals she guided.
Her exceptional service was recognized with numerous awards, including the Secretary of the Army Award for her significant contributions to the Army's small and disadvantaged business utilization programs, the Commander's Award, and the Superior Civilian Service Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon Army civilian personnel and was presented to her in Washington DC.
Carole was a member of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association), NRA, Women on Target, and was an on-going supporter of Wounded Warriors, and the United Methodist Church in Chapman, KS.
Carole will be remembered for her generosity, her dedication to service, and her deep love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she influenced and the military community she served with honor.
Carole is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Wadeson, Junction City, KS, and her granddaughters, Shelbi Mathis, of San Diego, CA, and Kylie Merritt, of Tucson, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lennie; a daughter, Georgi Blixt; and a brother, Paul Empson.
A celebration of Carole's life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chapman United Methodist Church, in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.