Carol Reeser Shelton

Carol Nan Reeser was born May 5, 1926 in Albany, Oregon to Ed and Ada Reeser.  She joined her big sister Lauralee. A few years later, they welcomed their brother, Willis.  They all helped operate the family-owned Reeser’s Creamery.  Along the way, ice cream became a life-long favorite indulgence.
Carol was active in school sports at Albany Union High School.  She also played the clarinet in band.  She liked to talk about playing for a “welcome home” event for the Oregon State University Beavers football team, after their 1942 Rose Bowl victory.
From an early age, Carol’s heart was tender towards God.  She heard His call and dedicated herself to full-time Christian service.  She sang in women’s trios and shared her faith often.
Since Carol wanted to be better prepared for her life’s work, she entered Cascade College in Portland, Oregon.  While there, she met Arthur Shelton from Yakima, WA and fell in love.  They married after graduation in August, 1949.  (In 2019, they celebrated 70 years of marriage during an Alaska cruise, along with 30 family members and close friends.)
During her first years of marriage, Carol taught elementary school in Stafford, Oregon, while Art attended seminary.  They felt led to seek a mission appointment, but first pastored a church in Talbot, Oregon.  Their first child, Deanne, was born there and was only 13 months old when they sailed for Tokyo, Japan.  Soon, brother Alan and sister Barbara were “made in Japan” and added to the family.
Over the next 40 years, Carol served alongside Art with the One Mission Society.  She raised and encouraged her children, as she loved and supported her husband.  She learned to communicate in Japanese, while loving and embracing the people and their culture.  She studied Ikebana (Japanese floral arranging), enjoyed the Tea Ceremony, and liked to put on Kimonos or Ukatas.  “Shelton Sensei” (or Shelton teacher), as she was called, taught English - and befriended - young ladies at the local private high school.
Carol used her love of music to help Tokyo Biblical Seminary students learn how to make melodies on a pump organ.  Through her audiovisual class, she helped establish a lending library of media.  She visited many churches and assisted their outreach into the community through English Bible and cooking classes.  Carol maintained an open door of hospitality, being hostess to school-aged friends, students, visitors and guests from all over the world.  She was especially involved with the Tokyo Ladies Luncheon endeavor, where Christian women could invite their friends to hear about Jesus.  After her children grew up and returned stateside, she completed her Masters in Education degree through Azusa Pacific University.
In 1993, Carol and Art retired to Hillsboro, Oregon.  The next 23 years were filled with family get-togethers and catching up with their extensive relatives and friends.  Carol joined Bible Study Fellowship, maintained KOPS at TOPS, was active at Tualatin Valley Community Church, led Ladies Bible Study, sang in the Choir, joined the local Aquatic Center and Curves, and enjoyed gardening her lovely roses.
Carol and Art became the faithful “pep and fan club” for their ten grandchildren’s basketball games, recitals, choir concerts, theater events, and other activities.  They followed the Lincoln High School basketball team (Tacoma – on which 5 of their grandsons played) to California, multiple times.  They also followed the University of Puget Sound basketball team (on which Aubrey and Kaleb played) to Hawaii and the Bahamas.  They also took grandchildren on family heritage trips to the coast, OMS International Pals camp, and to Japan.
Other travel opportunities were to the Canadian Rockies, Israel, Greece, Oberammergau Passion Play, New England, New Zealand and other locations.
In 2016 - as aging challenges increased - Carol and Art moved to Tacoma, WA under the tender care of son Alan and wife Shari.  We are also grateful to those Visiting Angels who provided loving support.
Carol was predeceased by her father, mother and sister.  She is survived by her husband Art; brother Willis (Connie) of San Luis Obispo, CA; daughter Deanne (Dan) of Hillsboro, OR; son Alan (Shari) of Tacoma, WA; daughter Barbara (Steve - deceased) of Eugene, OR; ten grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren (one more is due in July).  She was a beloved Aunt to many nieces and nephews.
On June 17, 2020, at age 94, Carol left this earth for her forever home with Jesus, whom she loved and served. A Celebration of Life service is planned for a future date.

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