Carole Nine

Carole Lynne Nine passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Saturday, April 16, 2022. Carole was preceded in death by her parents, John and Alberta (Nichols) Larson. Carole’s life revolved around family, church and school. She enjoyed life in a small town and playing with her siblings. While in high school, Carole represented Crown Point High School at Indiana Girl’s State and served on the school’s newspaper as the copy editor. During her junior year of high school, Carole received a letter from a college friend of her brother Jerry. This letter from Philip Nine began an intense letter writing campaign that culminated in a marriage proposal to Carole at her senior prom. Of course, she said yes. Philip joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in San Diego, California. Carole traveled alone to join him and they were married in El Cajon, California with only Phil’s grandparents in attendance at the wedding. This wedding was the first of countless examples of how deeply bonded Phil and Carole were in their 66 year marriage and the spirit of adventure that permeated their union. The adventure continued with the birth of two children, and a move to Lafayette for Phil to attend engineering school at Purdue University, a move that began a lifelong loyalty to the school. For many years of their marriage, Phil and Carole could be found on autumn afternoons cheering for Purdue’s football team. When Phil graduated, the couple moved to Indianapolis to begin his career and they called the city home for thirty-eight years. In 2001, the travel bitten couple decided to see the country, so they sold their home, bought an RV, and headed west. They wintered in Salome, Arizona for fifteen years returning to Indiana permanently when Carole’s health declined. Education was very important to Carole. She began her nurse’s training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago before her marriage. Carole never gave up on her dream to be a nurse and after her two sons were old enough, she resumed her schooling at Indiana University School of Nursing and earned an undergraduate degree in nursing and a master's degree in nursing administration. Carole instilled her love of learning in her two sons and modeled determination as she balanced motherhood, work, and the challenges of obtaining a nursing degree. Helping others gave Carole joy. She enjoyed a long career as a nurse including serving as the night nursing manager for the Hook Rehabilitation Center at Community Hospital. Her patients came first and she was not afraid to call a doctor at night if she felt orders needed to be changed even if the doctor was known for not wanting to be questioned by nurses. She regularly helped elderly family members and assisted elderly church members whenever she was needed. Carole’s heart was tender for those in need and she performed many secret kindnesses. Love of family was important to Carole. A dedicated mother, Carole raised two active sons with love and firmness ensuring they had the skills they needed to become the men they are today. Their wives thanked Carole for raising sons who knew how to take care of themselves and be good people. Later, Carole loved her role as a grandmother and great grandmother. When her granddaughter got married at the same young age she had, Carole regularly corresponded with her by mail with encouragement and stories, even while living thousands of miles away. Carole also valued her larger family and kept in touch with all her siblings never missing a reunion. Adventure fueled Carole’s innate curiosity. During their marriage, Phil and Carole visited five of the seven continents both for pleasure and in support of Leonard Thompson’s Strategic World Evangelism. They always came home with unique artifacts and great memories such as trying new foods like octopus or riding camels with their church tour group in the Middle East. Faith mattered to Carole. Active in various Christian church congregations wherever they lived, Carole sang in the church choir at E. 38th Street Christian Church and would occasionally sing duets with Phil. She was deeply involved in the founding of Purdue Christian Campus House as well as helping to found Keystone Christian Church. Carole was also a board member of Strategic World Evangelism. In 1993, Carole experienced a major stroke and taught everyone in her life a powerful lesson in tenacity and acceptance in the twenty-nine years that followed as she was determined not to let physical limitations define her. She continued to travel and engage with the world showing interest in family members and others. An integral part of the family, Carole will be missed and her lesson of living life bravely and boldly will continue to inspire her family and friends. She was outspoken in advocating for herself and others, even when that quality was not appreciated. Carole is survived by her loving husband, Philip, sister Diane Pate and brothers Gerald (Doris) and Donald Larson, sons Kenneth (Mary) and Thomas (Kyle) along with beloved grandchildren: Bethany Nine-Lawson (Dereke), Cathleen Nine-Altevogt (Colin), Alexandra and Andrew Nine and great-grandson Solomon Nine Altevogt as well as soon to be born great-granddaughter Caroline Altevogt. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7; at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home in Lafayette, Indiana beginning at 1:30 P.M. Carole loved a good doughnut and a good gathering, so per her request guests are invited to enjoy coffee and doughnuts together immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, at her request, donations in honor of Carole may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html