Carol F. Large, age 80, of Big Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully at her home on April 18, 2018. Carol was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Miami University in 1959 with a degree in Home Economics Education. She took her first career job as a Home Service Representative for I&M Electric Co. in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. While working there she met her future husband, Robert (Bob). They were married in Columbus on Dec. 29th 1962 and lived in Ft. Wayne until they moved to Big Rapids in 1966 where they raised three daughters. After their daughters were all in school, Carol worked for 21 years as a para-pro at the Big Rapids Middle School retiring in 1998. Along with being an educator, she also served as an officer in several civic and religious organizations. Her passions included volunteering, travelling, gardening, golfing, cooking and playing bridge. She did behind the scene work for Stage-M and was a 4-H team leader. She and her family were very active in the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship and she served 10 years as secretary for the state organization. She also was an active volunteer with the Big Rapids band boosters serving 8 years as an officer. Carol was a long time member of General Federation of Womens Club and Meceola Country Club. In her retirement years she served as a volunteer in the Artworks and Hospital gift shops. The kitchen was her domain where she especially enjoyed preparing ethnic dishes with 2 different gourmet groups. She and Bob enjoyed numerous tent camping trips with their young family to both the east and west coasts. In their retirement years, they pulled their camping trailer cross country hiking and visiting 28 National Parks and 9 Canadian provinces. Their travels included England, Australia, New Zealand, Panama Canal, Mexico as well as several Caribbean cruises and 14 Road Scholar (Elderhostel) programs. They have been loyal supporters of the arts and philanthropic groups at both the local and national levels.

Carol is survived by her husband, Robert, daughters Cheryl (Richard) Parrett, Nancy Vendeville and Deanna (James) Varney, grandchildren Nicole Parrett, Kristen (Ijay) Beltran, Sylvia and Ian Varney, sister-in-law Barbara (Thomas) Munson, eight nieces and nephews, and two step grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Marjorie and Joyce. Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center, Hospice of Michigan, or Artworks of Big Rapids. A celebration of life service will be on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. at Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. There will be a visitation from 1:00pm up until the time of the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family by clicking the guestbook tab at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Celebration of Life Saturday, April 28, 2018 02:30 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307 Visitation Saturday, April 28, 2018 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307