Carol Jean Scheel

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Carol Jean Scheel, 90 of Haxtun, Colorado joyfully ran into the arms of her Lord and Savior, surrounded by the love of her family. Viewing and visitation with the family will be held from 2-4pm, Sunday, March 1 at Halouska Family Chaney-Reager Funeral Home in Sterling. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, March 2 at New Hope Church, 137 W Bryan St, Haxtun, CO. She will be laid to rest following the service at the Haxtun Cemetery.

Carol Jean Scheel was born on April 23, 1935, in Haxtun, Colorado, to Florence and Ivan Brooks. From the very beginning, Haxtun was home — and it shaped the joyful, community‑loving woman so many came to know and love.

Carol grew up doing what she loved most: swimming, riding horses, playing softball, bowling, and spending time with friends. Those early years were filled with laughter, movement, and deep roots — roots that would last a lifetime.

One ordinary day walking home from school turned into something extraordinary when Carol met the love of her life, Kermit Calvin Scheel. Kerm offered her a ride home, and from that moment on, they were inseparable. They were married on June 1, 1953, beginning a love story that would define the rest of Carol’s life.

When Kerm joined the Army, Carol and Kerm experienced the first — and only — time they were apart during their marriage. Even then, their bond only grew stronger, faithfully preserved in a tin full of letters they wrote to one another. From 1954 to 1956, they lived at Fort Carson Army base in Colorado Springs before returning home to Haxtun — the place where they built their life, raised their family, and proudly cheered on the Haxtun Bulldogs.

Family was always at the center of Carol’s world, with love and faith guiding everything she did. Carol and Kerm welcomed three children: Vera Jean, April 14, 1955, Nancy Jo, April 30, 1957, and Gregory Calvin, March 8, 1961.

Carol gave endlessly of herself — to her family and to her community. She was involved in countless activities and organizations, including the Women’s Auxiliary, Bulldog Boosters, bible study, Haxtun Pool philanthropy, the church choir, Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled, community cards, and her bowling league. She was even chosen as a Bulldog super booster not once, but twice and she was selected as a grand marshal of the 99th Haxtun Corn Festival. She worked over the years at the Coach House, the Purple Sage, the Elks Lodge, Quality Pack, and the Haxtun Herald.

Above all else, Carol was devoted to her family. She and Kerm rarely missed a milestone, event, or celebration, traveling thousands of miles to support their children, grandchildren, and great‑grandchildren — and sometimes even folks who didn’t realize they were part of the family. Those Bulldog roots truly ran deep.

Carol was a fierce and loving advocate for her handicapped son Greg, ensuring he had access to education, care, and community. She chose jobs in Sterling so she could drive him to and from STARS & HEARTS Schools, always placing his needs first and leaned into the support and activities offered by organizations like HEARTS, Special Olympics, and Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled.

Carol lived with joy. She chose it daily — and you could see it in her smile, her strength, her humor, and her willingness to blaze her own trail. Her faith was strong and visible. Those who knew Carol never doubted that she stood on solid ground, walking confidently with the Lord by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Florence Brooks; her brother Keith; her husband Kerm; her son Greg; and her grandson Calvin.

Carol is survived by her daughter and son‑in‑law Vera and Roger Hagemeier; her daughter Nancy Mentzel; her grandchildren Randal Mentzel, Carisa (Cody) Bamford, Kendra (Doug) Holloway, Joe (Katie) Mentzel; and her cherished great‑grandchildren Caysen, Carter, and Coy Bamford, Riar and Mason Holloway, Marly and Kellan Mentzel, Amanda Kerbs and Family, and Christian Holloway and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled or the Haxtun Bulldog Booster Club.