Carolyn Minkler

Carolyn Sue Strickland-Minkler passed peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 81 years, after a five-year battle with Dementia. Carolyn Sue was born June 15th, 1944, to Floyd and Marianna Strickland of Dodge City, Kansas. Growing up on a farm, she was the fourth of five children, with one brother and three sisters. At the age of twelve, she moved with her family to San Diego, CA. There, she graduated Kearny High School in 1962, and started College at San Diego State University, moving on to Warner Pacific College in Portland, OR, where she pursued degrees in Early Childhood Education, as well as Home Economics. It was in San Diego, that she met her husband Duane Minkler, when they were still young teens. When Duane was drafted into the Army, Carolyn left school, returning to California to get married and start a family. Their marriage matured into a Christ-centered, deep and abiding love, with Carolyn passing just days before their 60th Wedding Anniversary. While ultimately deciding to be a homemaker, Carolyn worked tirelessly as her husbands partner in his Ministry with The Church of God. She also often worked outside the home in a variety of odd jobs, usually Secretarial, or Pre-school Teaching. Carolyn and Duane raised four children, and eleven grandchildren, as well as getting to meet their first great-grandchild before her passing. Their years together took them up and down the West Coast from Southern CA, to North-Eastern WA, and further North to Southeast and Southcentral AK, where they would settle for nearly forty years in the Matanuska Valley. In 1986, She and Duane, along with their eldest son, would launch their family-owned business, Matanuska Towing and Recovery. In 2017, they made the decision to retire, living part of the year in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Carolyn was preceded in death, by her parents, and younger sister, Betty Stephanos, as well as many beloved in-laws and dear friends with whom, we know, she is now joyfully reunited in Eternity. She is survived by her brother, Tom Strickland, as well as her sisters, Elva Reed and Fran Morgan, all of Southern CA. She is survived by her immediate family; her husband Duane Minkler, son Darin Minkler (wife Jennifer), granddaughter Kelasia, daughter Laurie Wagoner (husband Steven), grandson Forrest Wagoner (wife Anna), great-grandchildren, Colton and Riley Wagoner, granddaughter Michaela Wagoner, and Grandson Jesse Wagoner, daughter Susan Gunton (husband Owa), granddaughters Saige Minkler and Kanah Woods, and daughter Amanda McCrary (husband Cody) and grandsons Connor, Sawyer, Hayden, Tyler and Hunter McCrary. Carolyn will be lovingly remembered by her friends and family as someone most devout in her Christian Faith. Her love for the Lord shown so bright throughout her life, as a hardworking, loyal, selfless, caring and giving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor. She will be remembered as someone who always put family first. She will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. She will be remembered as someone who loved children, animals, and ministry. The family wish to express their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of loving condolences and the respects paid in her honor. Services will be held at Fairview Loop Baptist Church in Wasilla AK, on October the 11th, 2025, at 2 p.m.