Carol Lynn GÄHL

September 15, 1954 - January 31, 2024

Carol Lynn Gahl, surrounded by family with her husband holding her hand, passed peacefully on January 31st, 2024. Born in Wilson, Arkansas, on September 15th, 1954, Carol's family made their way to South Beloit, Illinois where she later graduated from South Beloit High School and met Gene Gahl. They married on May 19th, 1973, a partnership that became the cornerstone of families both immediate and extended. Carol always strove to make others feel included as family, a hallmark of her life on earth.

From the cradle, Carol was immersed in music, singing in her family's band. With a voice that inspired others to lift their own, Carol shared her musical talents as the lead singer of Country Legends and Cimarron bands. Her vocal instrument became an integral part of church choirs and company Christmas parties and her love of music proved contagious as she could draw others, no matter how hesitant, to the microphone for songs whimsical or serious. Carol readily brought joy to gatherings with dancing, singing, rewriting lyrics to add laughter to the occasion, or doing the splits (if you were lucky enough to witness this one). Pulling her son on the dance floor to show off his breakdancing moves or singing "Going to the Chapel" with her daughters, Carol's music permeated the family. It also filled the sanctuary at Hope Lutheran Church, where she was a consistent presence the last 30 years. Though her voice now rests, it will never be silenced.

After a move across the country to Spokane, Washington in 1989, Carol turned her attention to a career in the medical field. As a PA-C, she brought grace, comfort, compassion, and a remarkable breadth of knowledge to her patients, treating them with a sincerity others held as an exemplar. She mentored numerous medical professionals along the way and her approach to care will continue through those who learned from and worked with her. Carol knew what she was doing, tending to both body and spirit. Her workplace became an easy conduit for her deep faith in Christ and she brought His presence to every hallway and exam room she entered. Her faith provided a strength that at times surpassed understanding and, like her voice, became a salve for those around her.

Threaded throughout music and medicine was Carol's dearest passion: family. A 50-year marriage saw the births of four children and four grandchildren with whom she shared her unconditional love, talents, and wisdom. Whether preparing freshly caught crab on Whidbey Island, lending a keen eye to the design of a new room, or picking just the right tree for landscaping the log home, Carol worked with Gene to teach her son, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters everything from cooking aroma-rich meals (who needs a recipe?) to supporting others through listening steered by empathy. With her family she shared laughter over exotic dinners, high fives on the softball field, a warm embrace amid sadness, and insight during times of confusion. In lessons small and large, Carol loved and loved deeply. Hers was a faith found in a steadfast commitment to family, which embraced friends, colleagues, patients, and those in need.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Wilburn Davis and Ola Mae Davis. She is survived by husband, Gene Gahl; brother, William "Buddy" Davis; brother, Russell Davis; sister Sylvia Davis (Bob Sparks); children, Tammi Alderman (Derrick-fiancé), April Davis (Cory), Joshua Gahl, Rebecca Gahl-Partridge (Kevin); "adopted" daughter, Dee Hacking (John); and beloved grandchildren, Brendon, Nicholas, Haley, Lillian.

A funeral service will be held on February 15th, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3606 S. Schafer Rd., Spokane, WA, at 2:00pm, with a reception to follow.