Obituary for Carol Lynn Ilyankoff
Carol Lynn Kleffel was born on September 25th, 1956 in Pensacola, FL.
Her father, Walter, was in the Navy, so Carol’s family often moved depending on where he was deployed, which eventually landed them in Oak Harbor, WA at NAS Whidbey in 1967.
Before graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1974, Carol got a job at the old Miklo Root Beer Drive-In, where she met the love of her life, Mark Paul Ilyankoff. They went on their first date on August 12th, 1973, and were later married on April 12th, 1975.
Together they had three children, Bryan Mark in 1980, Kristi Nicole in 1982, and Kyra Lynn in 1993.
Carol became successful in the insurance and healthcare industry, along with pursuing her hobby of crafting. She worked with wood and acrylic paints, then found her love of gourd carving in the mid 90s.
In 2003, Carol and her family moved to Coupeville, WA on Whidbey Island, where she and Mark designed their dream home on a property of 10 acres. Carol continued to commute to the mainland for her insurance job before deciding to be closer to family, and got an accounting position with Whidbey Health Hospital. She later retired in 2013 to spend more time with her family and enjoy her hobbies.
She volunteered extensively in the Whidbey Health gift shop, and was also on the Whidbey Health Employee Council for several years.
Carol soon found a new love of her crafting, and started her own business, “Carol Upcycles”. She spent countless hours learning and perfecting the craft of hand-rolled paper beads, made from every-day paper products. She made one-of-a-kind bracelets, necklaces, and earrings out of them. She continued to learn new techniques with her gourd carving as well, and entered many local craft fairs, such as Coupeville’s Arts & Craft Festival. Carol was known widely for her personable manner, becoming friends with just about anyone. She loved talking with anyone who came by her craft booth, and loved catching up with old friends.
Photography was another love of Carol’s, and many of her photos are displayed in her home. She enjoyed going on photography trips with her younger sister, Paula, and simply walking around her property finding anything that caught her eye for a picture.
Carol enjoyed spending as much time as she could with her twin grandchildren, Kaleb Lee and Konnor Paul of her daughter, Kristi. They lovingly knew her as Nana.
She is loved and missed.
Survived by mother Suzanne Connelly, sister Kathy Mouw, sister Paula Bailly, and brother David Kleffel.
Private graveside was at Sunnyside Cemetery. A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Memorial donations are suggested to WAIF at PO Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239.
Carol is in Jesus’ loving arms.
Her father, Walter, was in the Navy, so Carol’s family often moved depending on where he was deployed, which eventually landed them in Oak Harbor, WA at NAS Whidbey in 1967.
Before graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1974, Carol got a job at the old Miklo Root Beer Drive-In, where she met the love of her life, Mark Paul Ilyankoff. They went on their first date on August 12th, 1973, and were later married on April 12th, 1975.
Together they had three children, Bryan Mark in 1980, Kristi Nicole in 1982, and Kyra Lynn in 1993.
Carol became successful in the insurance and healthcare industry, along with pursuing her hobby of crafting. She worked with wood and acrylic paints, then found her love of gourd carving in the mid 90s.
In 2003, Carol and her family moved to Coupeville, WA on Whidbey Island, where she and Mark designed their dream home on a property of 10 acres. Carol continued to commute to the mainland for her insurance job before deciding to be closer to family, and got an accounting position with Whidbey Health Hospital. She later retired in 2013 to spend more time with her family and enjoy her hobbies.
She volunteered extensively in the Whidbey Health gift shop, and was also on the Whidbey Health Employee Council for several years.
Carol soon found a new love of her crafting, and started her own business, “Carol Upcycles”. She spent countless hours learning and perfecting the craft of hand-rolled paper beads, made from every-day paper products. She made one-of-a-kind bracelets, necklaces, and earrings out of them. She continued to learn new techniques with her gourd carving as well, and entered many local craft fairs, such as Coupeville’s Arts & Craft Festival. Carol was known widely for her personable manner, becoming friends with just about anyone. She loved talking with anyone who came by her craft booth, and loved catching up with old friends.
Photography was another love of Carol’s, and many of her photos are displayed in her home. She enjoyed going on photography trips with her younger sister, Paula, and simply walking around her property finding anything that caught her eye for a picture.
Carol enjoyed spending as much time as she could with her twin grandchildren, Kaleb Lee and Konnor Paul of her daughter, Kristi. They lovingly knew her as Nana.
She is loved and missed.
Survived by mother Suzanne Connelly, sister Kathy Mouw, sister Paula Bailly, and brother David Kleffel.
Private graveside was at Sunnyside Cemetery. A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Memorial donations are suggested to WAIF at PO Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239.
Carol is in Jesus’ loving arms.