Carol Thilking Pochop  (December 23, 1941 - August 19, 2024)

Carol was a loving wife to Rollin; they were married nearly 58 years. She was a devoted mother to Mike (Julie) Pochop and Lisa (Martin Augustine), and Grammy to Christine (Zach Flessner), James, Andrew, Jacob, Seth, and Mahlon. She was also great-Grammy to Rylee and Tanner. She leaves behind extended family, including her brother in-law Jeff (Susie) Pochop and sister in-law Joelle (Bill Curran), and cousins, nieces, and nephews (including many greats).

Carol was born in St. Louis, MO to the late Walter and Emma Thilking. She was proud to say she grew up on Roseacre Lane and that she graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1959. She graduated from Drake University in 1963. Around that time, she took trips to Europe and Hawaii with college friends that she would talk about for the rest of her life. And she began working as an administrative assistant in the Executive Offices at McDonnell Douglas.

In October 1966, she married Rollin Pochop, whom she met at Drake. In their early years as a married couple, Rollin and Carol began the tradition of Italian Friday night dinners. Carol said it was inexpensive but tasted pretty good with some red wine. It’s a tradition that is sometimes still observed today. They also enjoyed many Blues games, splitting season tickets with friends. The late 1960s were a very good time to be a Blues fan.

After the United States beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics and won the gold medal, she sported a “be American play hockey” bumper sticker. In 1983, Carol’s beloved Blues were almost sold and moved to Saskatchewan. She frequently chimed in with the mantra of the time – “where the ‘h-e double hockey sticks’ is Saskatoon?”

Rollin and Carol raised Mike and Lisa in a home filled with faith, love and learning. They took family road trips all across the country. There were swim meets, hockey games, cross country meets, volleyball, and soccer games. And there were always Cardinals and Blues games on TV.

Carol enjoyed volunteering and serving as secretary for Hope House. She and Rollin dutifully reported on Mondays and Wednesdays to help in the food pantry. But her volunteer days began much earlier when she put together swim meet ribbons, kept stock of Girl Scout cookies for the troop, helped edit the elementary school buzz book, and spent time in the Claymont and Parkway West libraries.

As the family grew, Carol loved hosting her grandkids in Ballwin. She would always have a kiddie pool filled and a visit to a nearby p-a-r-k planned. She would spell it out, so they wouldn’t catch on, but it didn’t take long.

Soon Carol and Rollin bought a lake house, to make sure the kids and grandkids visited. They first shared a lake home with dear friends Jere and Carol Callisto and later built their beautiful home on the water, where they lived from 2006 until earlier this year. 

During those beautiful years at the lake, Carol loved taking boat rides and floating with her grandkids off the dock. A dock with the best high dive AND a curved slide. She was also a big fan of fires and s’mores making. She would often prepare something that has become known as Carol’s dip. But she would tell you it’s really California dip and she got the recipe from a Briarwyck Drive neighbor who moved to Southern California. 

She was preceded in death by Rollin, her parents, in-laws Joe and Phyllis Pochop, and grandson James Pochop. Her strong faith and enduring love for her family will live in our hearts forever.

A memorial service was held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1700 Bagnell Dam Blvd., Lake Ozark, MO, on August 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Burial was at St. John’s Cemetery, Ellisville, MO.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hope House of Miller County or Christ the King Lutheran Church.

  
This obituary was published on the website of Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO.