Carol is greatly missed. She had a gift for being engaged and present and making people feel welcome and at ease. We will remember her for her humor, generosity, and kindness. Her love will live in our hearts forever.

We are grateful for all the kind remembrances and condolences, and for all the kindness she received from friends and family during her lifetime.

Carol's practical leadership skills and thoughtful planning continue to guide her family through challenge and celebration.

Carol Anne Welts was born in 1940 at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles. She is the daughter of Frank and Ruth Van Volkenburgh and sister of George Van Volkenburgh. She passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 29, 2020 in the San Diego home where she raised her family. She was 79 years old.

Carol attended school in Los Angeles at Budlong Grammar School, Horace Mann Junior High School, Washington High School, and Los Angeles City College. Carol was a straight A student and served as president of Future Business Leaders of America. In 1958 she received the Achievement Award in Vocational Arts by Bank of America and the South West Rotary Club Craftsmanship Award.

Carol and Frank met at Epworth Methodist Church in Los Angeles during a choir rehearsal. Carol's mother introduced them. Not long after Frank escorted Carol to her high school prom. Four years later they married at Epworth Methodist Church. She and Frank would have been married 58 years in June.

Carol worked for the City of Los Angeles, Culver City, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Burroughs Corporation, NCR Corporation, RB Westwood Club, and Hope United Methodist Church.

One day while working at Jet Propulsion Laboratory Carol unexpectedly shared an elevator ride with Eddy Rickenbacker, American fighter "Ace" and Medal of Honor recipient. She was so starstruck she inadvertently rode the elevator all the way up to the 5th floor with him; she worked on the 3rd floor.

Carol and her family moved from Camarillo to Rancho Bernardo in 1969 when her husband accepted a job with Spin Physics.

In the 1970s Carol wanted to learn to square dance. At the time, there were no square dance clubs in Rancho Bernardo, so she and her next-door neighbor founded the Westwood Wranglers Square Dance Club. Carol and her husband met many dear friends in the Wranglers, and many of those friends also became Marriage Encounter and Huggy Bunch camping friends.

She and her husband joined Hope United Methodist Church in Rancho Bernardo in 1978. She and Frank were once again members of a church choir together. There they found a loving family of friends.

Carol loved researching her family roots, and she did an extensive genealogy of her Van Volkenburgh roots. She loved hanging out with and being silly with all her girlfriends. She loved traveling with her husband, and together they traveled many places including Germany, Scandinavia, Spain, Hawaii, British Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Williamsburg, Alaska, and Lake Tahoe. She loved spending time with her children and always encouraged them to be happy and healthy.

Carol is survived by her husband Frank Herbert Welts, her daughter Laura Christina Welts, her son Frank Andrew (Nancy) Welts, her sister-in-law Carol Van Volkenburgh, and her lifelong BFF Irene Connolly.

Friends and family are encouraged to visit her digital memorial at carolwelts.com to view photos and leave a remembrance. Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Committee on Relief.

Please visit Frank's obituary page at Frank Welts Obituary