Carol Jean Woodruff

Carol Jean Woodruff, 92, of Auburn, IL, passed away peacefully in her sleep before sunrise on Easter morning, April 9, 2023. 

Carol Jean was born May 4, 1930, in Assumption, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Beulah (Cole) Wempen. 

She married William F. Woodruff on June 19, 1949 and he preceded her in death on February 6, 2021. Also, preceded in death by her youngest son, Bob; her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Betty Jo Wempen; and her sister and brother-in-law, Eloise and Warren Cartmell.

She graduated from Assumption High School in 1948.  Carol Jean was a homemaker.  In addition to raising four boys, she ran the in-home office for Bill’s State Farm Insurance Agency for over 30 years.  She enjoyed going to garage sales, thrift shops, and antique malls.  She was definitely a bargain shopper—always looking for a great deal.  She would pick up every little trinket, checking it for a collectible name or trademark.  She was an avid collector of Hummel, DeGrazia, and Lowell Davis figurines, as well as anything Goebel.  Her greatest entertainment was looking for, looking at, reading about and talking about collectibles.  She enjoyed watching figure skating on TV and reading Mary Higgins Clark novels.  It was her greatest pleasure to be able to pull something out of her stash of goodies that would help make her grandkids’ school projects better or unique.  She kept a BIG candy container full of miniature tootsie rolls on her kitchen counter and always had tootsie rolls. butterscotch candies, and crackers in her purse.  She was also known to hide a $20-bill in her purse so she’d always have something to “come home on.”  Even though she was small in stature, when it came to working hard, she could outwork any of the grandkids working with her.

Carol Jean was a member of the Auburn United Methodist Church.  Until her health sidelined her in her late 80’s, she was an avid morning walker at the AHS track or at the church with 3 or 4 other ladies from the church.  They were a dedicated group—faith in action.

She is survived by 3 sons: Tom (Becky) Woodruff, Chatham; Mike Woodruff, Auburn; Ken (Peggy) Woodruff, Hood River, OR; 1 daughter-in-law, Nancy Woodruff, Franklin; 6 grandsons, Mike (Angela), Jeff (Dawnetta), Bill (Nicole), Jim (Amanda), Winston, and Logan Woodruff; 2 granddaughters, Jackie (Jay) Richmond and Jennifer (Luke) Zwartverwer; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim Wempen, of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial service will be held at Bramley Funeral Home, Auburn, IL, with burial following at Pleasant View Cemetery in Assumption, IL.

Memorials may be made to the Auburn United Methodist Church, 14100 N. State Rt. 4, Auburn, IL 62615.

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