Carolyn Wood-Kelpe Kern Phd

Carolyn Wood Kelpe Kern PhD February 20, 1952 – November 2, 2013 Carolyn Wood Kelpe Kern left her home and family in Denton, Texas to be with Jesus on Saturday, November 2, 2013. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 20, 1952 to Robert Frederick and Doris Jean Wood Kelpe. She attended Northwest Elementary School in Dodge City, KS until the family moved to Overland Park, KS in January of 1964. She completed her elementary education at Nall Hills Elementary School, then attended Nallwood Junior High, and graduated in 1970 from Shawnee Mission South High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Kansas in 1974, Master of Science in School Counseling from Emporia State University in 1982 and a PhD in Applied Behavioral Studies in Education from Oklahoma State University in 1990. At the time of her death, Carolyn was an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at the University of North Texas (UNT). She has been a member of the faculty since 1991. She is the immediate past president of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) and is a Fellow and former board member of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Among her greatest joys were helping students achieve their personal and professional goals. She was both an educator and a counselor. She abounded with energy and enthusiasm for life. She never met a stranger. She enjoyed working with her colleagues across the university and especially in her department. She was known for her remarkable ability to reframe difficult situations with an optimistic view and positive outlook. Her dedication and love for Jesus was evident and plain for all to see. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Gregory L. Kern. She is survived by Doug, her loving husband of 34 years; brothers Don (Jan) Kelpe of Pella, IA and Paul (Jan) Kelpe of Omaha NE; sisters Susie & Nancy Kelpe of Clovis, CA. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Bill (Vickie) Kern of Wamego, KS; sisters–in-law Donna (Emmet) Kern Tibbets of Berryton, KS and Lori Kern of Maple Hill, KS. She was affectionately known as Aunt Cookie by her 20 nieces, nephews and spouses and her 19 great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Monday at 6:00 to 7:30p.m. at DeBerry Funeral Directors 2025 West University Drive, Denton, TX. A celebration of her life will be held at Covenant Church, 2660 E. Trinity Mills, Carrollton, TX on Tuesday, November 5 at 7:00p.m.with visitation and viewing from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Interment will be Saturday November 9 at in Wamego City Cemetery in Wamego, KS. In lieu of flowers the family suggests, a memorial donation be made to the Carolyn & Doug Kern Scholarship Fund at the University of North Texas Foundation, 1155 Union Circle #311250, Denton, Texas 76203-5017.