Carol Vivian Klippstein, 62

On the evening of Saturday, April 17, 2021, Carol Vivian Klippstein died at the age of 62. Carol was a talented quilter, avid animal lover, and made a life-long habit of taking in “orphans” both animate and inanimate.

Carol was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of George and Charlotte Klippstein. Her mother died in 1966 when Carol was only 7 years old. A subsequent move to Sandpoint, Idaho, with her father opened up her world to animals, 4-H, sewing, and eventually quilting. Carol attended Farmin-Stidwell Elementary School and Sandpoint Junior High before graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1976. She had many interests which included clubs such as H.E.R.O. and Leohono. Carol was very involved in 4-H, some of the classes she completed were dog obedience training and aviation. During these years, her father often took her to rock and gem shows and gun shows. Many weekends they could be found hiking and fishing in the wilderness areas surrounding Sandpoint.

Carol’s early adult years included study of interior design, business school, travel planning, care for her father, and eventually landed her on long-term staff at the Holden Village Lutheran retreat center near Chelan, Washington, in 1986 that changed the direction of her life. Upon leaving Holden in 1987, she moved to Seattle to dedicate herself to becoming an occupational therapist and graduated from the University of Washington in 1992. During this time, she met Peter Hernes and they hiked and contra danced their way to marriage on Sept. 27, 1991. With Peter, she began the process of building their family through multiple trips to Russia to adopt their three children, Alexander, Katrina, and Charlotte.

Carol and family moved to Irmo, South Carolina, for three years in 1999, and then again to Davis, California, in 2002, where Carol stayed home to raise kids and began ramping up her quilt creations. Forays into graphic design, pet sitting, and secretarial work were always surrounded by quilting. She was also passionate about her pets (dogs, cats, birds, fish, rats, guinea pigs), trying to fulfill a childhood dream of owning a zoo.

Carol loved the outdoors, trees, mountains, lakes, rivers, and the ocean. She was a lifelong active member in the Lutheran church, and felt that Holden Village was a magical place. To honor this connection, the family is asking that all donations be made to Holden Village in Carol’s name (www.holdenvillage.org).

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, George (1995) and Charlotte (1966). She is survived by her husband, Peter; and children, Alexander, Katrina, and Charlotte.

A memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis, California, on Saturday, May 29, at 10 a.m.