Carol Mae Shertzer was born December 19, 1929, in Marshfield, WI to Donald and Edna Rice.  She was the oldest of five, with siblings Don Rice, Sharon Pate, Peggy Henry, and Diane Rice.  The family soon moved to Solsberry, IN where she was raised.  Carol prided herself on her independence and was considered a tomboy by many.  She was a lifelong exceptional student, graduating first in her class from Solsberry High School.  In 1949 she married Bruce E. Shertzer of Bloomfield, IN.  They lived in Marstinsville, IN for several years as Bruce pursued a doctorate degree in education from Indiana University.  Carol helped support the family by working at RCA in Bloomington, IN.  During this time two children were born, Sarah and Mark.  The family would eventually move to West Lafayette, IN where Bruce was a professor at Purdue University.  During their time in West Lafayette, Carol took numerous classes at Purdue University which would lead to an abiding interest in stock markets. She was in many ways a woman before her time and had a lifetime passion for stock trading, which she pursued into her nineties, including internet trading.  Carol also had a passion for antique collecting, decorating, bridge, and gardening, their yard being a neighborhood showcase. She was noted as a hostess who especially loved decorating and entertaining at Christmas.  She and Bruce hosted Purdue students and faculty from the Education Department throughout the year and were noted for their superb homemade ice cream.  They were avid bridge and tennis players and developed many lifelong friends from these activities.

Carol’s final years were greatly diminished by dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, robbing her of her personality and vitality.  She was a grand lady and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is proceeded in death by her sister Diane Rice, her loving husband of 69 years, Bruce Shertzer, and her brother Donald Rice.  She is survived by her sisters Sharon Pate and Peggy Henry, and children Sarah Kleedehn (Rodney) and Mark Shertzer (Jamie) and Sarah’s two children Kristine Kleedehn (David Gladish) and Mark Kleedehn (Alison Anderson).  There are three grandchildren, Hazel Rose Kleedehn and Ari and Luca Gladish.

The family greatly appreciates and thanks caregivers Jazmin Dejesus and Alicia George who provided exceptional care for our mother.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of the service at 1:30 pm on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway West.  A reception will follow at the Shertzer residence. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the “Bruce Shertzer Endowed Chair for Counseling,” (Purdue Foundation, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.