Carol Margaret (Loutzenhiser) Thompson

Carol Margaret Loutzenhiser Thompson, age 94, died peacefully on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in the care of her family and some wonderfully skilled and kind folks at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Carol was born in Garrett, Indiana, on December 20, 1927, to Edwin and Helene (née Kuehn) Loutzenhiser, who, with Carol’s sister, Rita, preceded her.

On September 18, 1948, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in South Bend, Carol married Russell Alvin Thompson, who died in 2015.

Carol lived almost her entire life in Lydick. She was a 1946 graduate of South Bend Central High School, going back and forth daily on the South Shore.

In 1946, Russ, a recently returned veteran of WWII, was driving to a dance in Lydick and was fortunate enough to see Carol standing with some friends. Ordinarily a shy man, Russ was bold and slammed on his brakes. He was smitten and Carol was friendly, curious, and kind, which were her normal states of mind. After she and Russ wed, they set about life together by raising their two kids, Polly (James) Wolf and Jeffery. In the early 50s, they built their house on Edison Road which Carol still lived in and maintained at the time of her death. It was her fond wish to complete her time on Earth in that home which she, Russ, and Polly and Jeff loved so much. God blessed her; she made it.

Carol was a long-time member of Lydick United Methodist Church and at one time, served as President of its Board of Trustees. For many years she was part of the team that produced the finest fish fry in the country, hosted annually at the church. She was particularly noted for her great pies.

She also was active with the Sunshine Girls, a social service organization affiliated with Purdue University and the County Extension Office.

Carol had countless friends, especially in Lydick. Among them were Danny and Darla Carter. There were and are no better neighbors, anywhere.

Until recently, Carol hosted a regular weekly meeting of Canasta sharks from the area who came for the fellowship and the games, as well as the snacks.

Toward the end of her life, Carol enjoyed the company of her caregivers, Brenda and Amanda, and the family is grateful for their help.

Celebrating Carol’s return to her Lord are Polly and James, four grandchildren: Heather Fite (Michael Castellon), Chad Fite (Arpeni), Amanda Vaughan and Braydon Thompson (Amber), 11 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Jeffery and a grandson, Nathan Fite.

Love your community, your Lord and Church, and your family. Be friendly, curious, and kind. Practice shuffling two decks of Bicycles, get the large bags of Jordan Almonds, Bridge Mix, and—most importantly—Peanut M&Ms, and have your friends over as often as you can. These are some of the keys to Carol’s long and happy life and we hope they will serve you well, too.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Carol’s life from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, Wednesday, December 28, at Lydick United Methodist Church, 26510 Edison Road, South Bend, Indiana. Funeral services will follow at the church with graveside services to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, South Bend.

Contributions in Carol’s memory may be offered to Lydick United Methodist Church, 26510 Edison Road, South Bend, IN 46628.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

12/20/2022 EJS