Carol Powelson

Carol Jean Powelson, age 82, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at her home.

Carol Jean Zwiener was born on November 6, 1943, she was the second of four children born to Raymond Edwin and Gladys E. (Talbot) Zwiener. Growing up rooted in a close knit and community oriented family, she carried those deep bonds throughout her life.

On January 6, 1964, Carol was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Scott Powelson at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Garnett, Kansas. They worked together on their farm raising crops, livestock and a family. Their union was blessed with two sons, Terry Scott and Royce Ray. In their "empty nest" years Carol and Scott enjoyed taking dance lessons and going to dances in Lawrence. They enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and many bus tours. Some of her favorite trips included an Alaskan Cruise and going to Mackinac Island and Nashville. Summers were a very special time to the grandkids as they would get to spend time with grandma at the farm or at Grand Lake.

Carol was known as a remarkably hard-working, loving, and giving person who deeply cared for everyone she met. A talented hairdresser for 53 years, she began her career in Ottawa in 1963, continued operating out of the basement of her home starting in 1968 until moving into her shop, Carol's Beauty Salon, in Richmond, until retiring in 2016. Her life centered around her cherished family, especially her beloved grandkids, and her generous spirit left a lasting impact on her entire community. She didn't live with an attitude of her glass being half full; her glass was overflowing. Even as she faced her own health challenges, you would never know it, and she even managed to find "the good" in her own cancer diagnosis. To know Carol was to love her and you were blessed by her greeting you with a hug and calling you honey or sweetie.

Family events and church dinners will never be the same without her canned tomatoes, homemade salsa, potato salad, chicken and noodles, and her signature angel food cakes baked specially for birthdays.

Carol was a longtime member of the Garnett First Christian Church, where she was an active member and volunteered in many capacities. Some of the work she enjoyed the most included helping prepare funeral dinners for many years and working with the Christian Woodworkers as she and others made wooden toys to donate to area children's hospitals.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Scott, of 48 years on April 19, 2012; she was also preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Evelyn Thompson; and grandson, Wyatt Michael Wiederholt.

She is survived by her sons, Terry Powelson of Iola, Kansas, and Royce and Angie Powelson of Richmond, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Crystal and Doug Haywood, Misty Powelson and Mitch Rolls, Mindy and Matt Schuler, Tyler Powelson, Caleb Powelson, Kyle and Taylor Powelson, Carson Powelson, Amber Wiederholt, Max and Stephanie Wiederholt, and Samantha Wiederholt and Kyle Silvers; twelve great grandchildren, Easton, Brady, Ladd, CT, MJ, Maxton, Remi, Cooper, Cadence, Evander, Tripp, and Bohdi; her sister, Sandy Erhart and Pat Tate; her brother, Larry and Linda Zwiener; and numerous relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Carol's family will greet friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to Allen Community College (for the Scott and Carol Powelson scholarship) or Garnett First Christian Church or to the Richmond Community Museum and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.