As a young woman she worked as a lingerie model for Sears Roebuck and Company, traveling the east and gulf coasts for two years. Unaccompanied, she made her own arrangements for travel, meals, and lodging. She exemplified a woman empowered by her sense of self, independence, reliability, and resourcefulness.

In 1966 she completed an elementary education degree at the University of Maryland. Teaching and her sense of adventure took her to St. Croix, Virgin Islands, for two years. She taught for many years in Westminster, Maryland, and prior to that at Urey Middle School in Walkerton, Indiana.

Carol attended Henry Studebaker Elementary School in South Bend and James Whitcomb Riley High School, and graduating in 1943. Among many vivid memories of her youth were ice skating on the flooded tennis courts in Studebaker Park, and trips with her mother on the streetcar to the Marie Buczkowski School of Dance, where she learned both dance (ballet became a lifelong interest) and acrobatics. She performed at both the German and Norwegian Clubs in South Bend, then thriving ethnic organizations. Another memory is that of dances at the Palais Royale ballroom. Growing up, Grace United Methodist Church in South Bend, where she taught Sunday school, was important to her. From her church and family she gained the strong moral foundation that served her the rest of her life.

twin sister and husband, Gloria and James Wicks of Walkerton, IN;
elder sister and husband, Mary and George John of Clearwater, FL;
brother Dean and wife Hattie Knepp of Detroit, MI;
and an infant brother, Charles Addison Knepp. All four of the above are deceased.

She is survived by nieces, Bridget (Jack) Bonham of Indianapolis, IN and Benedicte Wicks of Oakland, CA; and nephews, James Wicks, Jr. (Thomas Malcolm) of Walkerton, IN and Peter (Daria) Wicks of Jacksonville, FL. Other survivors include her great-niece, Alexandra Wicks of Lovettsville, VA; and great-nephews, Mateyo (Ashley) Bonham of Denver, CO, Kyle Bonham (Steven Knight) of Indianapolis, IN, and Ryan Wicks of Richmond, VA