Carol Jean Koelzer

Carol Jean McVay Koelzer passed away Saturday July 15, 2023 in Missoula, MT with family surrounding her. 

Carol was born in Anaconda, MT to Al McVay and Marie Salmen on November 22, 1941. She grew up in Rocker and met the love of her life, Newton Koelzer, one night while enjoying too much caramel. Newt took her for a drink because she was thirsty and the rest is history. They were married a year later in June of 1959 and to that union five children were born. Carol and Newt began married life in Butte and in 1965, they moved to Miles City. During their time in Miles City, Carol and Newt raised their five children and enjoyed many friendships. They left Montana in the mid-1980’s and spent some time in San Diego and finally moved to Elko, Nevada in 1993. While in Elko, Carol worked at Newmont Gold, a clinic and finally retired from Al Park Petroleum - during her career Carol worked in a variety of accounting roles and excelled at collecting money.

Upon arriving in Nevada, Carol and Newt made their home in Spring Creek. Their home looks out to the Ruby Mountains and many evenings were spent enjoying the view. Carol was an avid gardener and immediately went to work on the sagebrush that inhabited the front yard and when all the hard work was done in its place was a beautiful yard. In their retirement years, Carol and Newt spent a great deal of time traveling to visit children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family. These trips were taken in their van and with family on both the west and east coast they saw it all.   

Carol was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Newt, of 64 years, sons Steven of Spring Creek, David (Jana) of Dickinson, TX, Jayson (Holly) of Uniontown, OH, daughters Cheryl of Missoula, MT and Toni (Terry) of Missoula, MT, two sisters Linda (Ed) Davies of Port Orchard, WA and Pat Leary of Butte, MT., twelve grandchildren; Christen (Jake Birkholz) LeBlanc, Korey (Dani) Koelzer, Courtney (Nick) Kircos, Kolten Koelzer, Sarah Riazati, Chance LeBlanc, Ben (Dane) Johnston, Carleigh LeBlanc, Jasmine (Reza Mirzaei) Riazati, David Riazati, Megan (Kelly) Kilby, Madeline (David) Atkinson, eight great-grandchildren; Athena & Cleopatra Kircos, Aria Truzzolino, Millie Kate Koelzer, Vivian & Newton Birkholz, Jameson Koelzer and Hunter Adkinson. And numerous nieces and nephews.