Carolyn Joyce Abke

Carolyn Joyce Allen was born on December 22, 1939, in Caro, Michigan, to Wendell M. and Eva (Hall) Allen. She joined two older brothers. The family later included a sister and another brother. Life in small town Michigan was challenging and the family struggled in her early years, especially when her father was serving in World War II. Carolyn spent time with her grandmother who took her to church. Early on, she came to love Jesus and would talk to Him about her future. She was very talented musically, singing and playing piano. At age 11, she sang for a family member’s wedding. A young teen was in attendance and was captivated by her voice and her loveliness. Gary Abke said he fell in love with her that day. She did not return his affections, and it took a few years before she agreed to date him. On their first date, she brought along her young brother Jimmy because of her reluctance. However, Gary began singing along with the radio, “A Kiss to Build a Dream On”, and she was surprised and delighted! He was a good man and the answer to her childhood prayers. They fell in love and when she was 16, Gary asked for her hand in marriage. Her parents agreed only because he was heading off to the Navy. They wrote regularly and Gary visited home when he could, sometimes finding creative ways to get to Michigan, even if only for a few hours! Carolyn graduated from Caro High School on June 5, 1957, and Gary and Carolyn were married on June 8, at the Caro Church of the Nazarene. They were 17 and 19 years old! A few weeks later Gary returned to complete his service in the Navy. Carolyn worked in a local office, counting the days until he was home. Gary returned to Caro in February, 1958. The couple welcomed their first child, Scott the next year, followed by son Cory and later daughter, Wendy, all in a three-year time frame. Life was busy!

The couple felt God leading them into ministry and in 1962 Gary became the pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Saline, Michigan, and later, Gagetown, Michigan. In 1965 the Abkes responded to an offer to pastor the Church of the Nazarene in Sidney, Nebraska. There the family grew once more with the birth of son, Chris. The Abkes had an important ministry in the community, making lifelong friends. They reached out to people who needed prayer, a listening ear, or just a meal. Carolyn was a prayer warrior, often spending hours praying for the needs of her family and their church flock. Carolyn worked beside Gary, creating the weekly church bulletin, teaching Sunday School, playing piano and serving people however she could, often at her kitchen table. Music was always so important in their ministry. Gary’s baritone, Carolyn’s alto, and the children learning to sing and harmonize around the piano often filled the home and church with songs of faith and fun. Truly a heritage of music!

The family moved briefly to Waynesboro, Virginia, in 1970, then returned to Sidney for a few more years of ministry.

In the fall of 1972, Carolyn suffered a mild heart attack, at the age of 33. A few weeks later, a diagnostic procedure malfunctioned causing a massive heart attack and requiring bypass surgery. This began a life of many physical challenges.

In 1977 they took a pastorate in Pratt, Kansas. Later, the call to full-time evangelism brought 6 months of life on the road, traveling across the nation, preaching and singing. In 1979 they became pastors in Gladstone, Missouri and eventually served in Loveland, Colorado. In 1992, Gary and Carolyn moved to southern California and soon were offered a position as Pastors to Senior Adults at The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, serving alongside Pastor Jack Hayford. Their ministry time there was precious and fulfilling. Carolyn continued to have issues with her heart and in 2007, shortly after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Carolyn had a heart transplant. Gary retired in 2015, after more than 50 years in ministry. Gary and Carolyn moved to Upland Manor in 2016 and enjoyed wonderful fellowship there until Gary’s passing on January 25, 2022. Carolyn lived with dementia in her later years, but never lost her love for her family and her trust in her precious Jesus. She prayed with anyone she could at her memory care unit and still loved to sing! Her voice seemed to get stronger with age. Following a fall and a fractured shoulder, Carolyn declined quickly and went home to Heaven on October 29, 2025. She was ready to be with her Lord and her Gary!

Carolyn is survived by her sister Mary Lee (Larry) Brown, her children Scott (Janet) Abke, Cory (Neal) Abke, Wendy (Bill) Winslow, Chris (DeeAnn) Abke; grandchildren Whitney Abke, Aaron Abke, Christian Abke, Hannah Bercel, Jordan Winslow, Sarah Willoughby, and Madison Agundez, as well as 7 great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her mother, Eva, father Wendell, and brothers Jerry, Dick, and Jim.