Carolyn M. (Edson) Sytsma, age 100, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, NE.

Carolyn was born to parents, Elmer John and Selma Alfreda (Rodine) Edson on November 30, 1925, at the family farm near Gothenburg, NE. She remembered as a young child living through the depression years and sandstorms. As a young girl of 13, she accepted the Lord as her Savior at her home church, the Evangelical Free Church, in Gothenburg. She attended a one-room country school in Dawson County near Gothenburg through eight grade. She graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1943. She continued her education at Chicago Free Church School later known as Trinity College. After graduation Carolyn taught Vacation Bible School in Wisconsin and worked at an orphanage in Holdrege until her marriage.

On September 23, 1947, she was united in marriage to Milton John Sytsma. To this union four children were born, Janene, Judy, Lennis, and Kent. They made their home on a farm near Brady where they raised hogs, cattle and grain. Carolyn was an instrumental part of the farming operation as well as a busy homemaker and mother. In 1978, the couple moved to McCook and purchased the Arrow Car Wash. For the next 20 years they devoted their time to the car wash until their retirement in 2000.

Carolyn was an active member of the Brady Berean Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She later became a member of the McCook Evangelical Church where she helped fold Sunday bulletins, made the Sunday coffee and helped with funeral dinners. She was also a member of the Our People are Loving Servants (Opals) Club. Carolyn's other memberships included the Union Aid Extension Club while living in Brady. Carolyn enjoyed embroidering, crafts, her pets, sewing, baking and cooking for her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Milton in August 2002; son, Lennis Sytsma; sister, Lois and husband, Ivan Klinkman; brother, Darwin Edson and wife, Eunice; and son-in-law Glen Goosey.

Survivors include her daughters; Janene Goosey of Phoenix, AZ and Judy and husband, Craig Stous, of Lincoln; son Kent Sytsma of Omaha; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be given in her name to Evangelical Free Church, 602 East 15th Street, McCook, NE 69001.