Obituary for Carol Harriet Palmen (Diesslin)

Carol Palmen, a dedicated nurse, lifelong learner, and cherished matriarch, passed away peacefully on

September 27, 2025, at the age of 84. She was a woman known for her constant cheer and optimism, love

of family, unwavering faith, and a life dedicated to the care of others.

Born on September 10, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, Carol was the daughter and firstborn of the late Albert

“Al” and Evelyn Diesslin. The family soon moved to the St. Paul, Minnesota area, where Carol spent her

childhood with an ever-growing number of sisters and brothers. After graduating high school and earning

her nursing degree, Carol’s adventurous spirit took her first to central Florida and then west to the Bay

Area, where she enjoyed living, exploring and working with fellow nurses and friends. She eventually

returned to Minnesota, where a fateful blind date introduced her to the love of her life, Ken.

Carol and Ken were married on October 21, 1967, in St. Paul, beginning a nearly 58-year partnership built

on love and shared faith. Within a year of their marriage, they decided to head west with an eye on sharing

their life together and raising a family in California. They made it as far as the Front Range of Colorado,

where a coincidental meeting between Ken and a former employer led to a job opportunity and what

would become their life-long residency in Colorado Springs.A Life of Service and Passion

Carol dedicated her entire career to nursing, most notably caring for the elderly in assisted living facilities,

where her compassion enriched countless lives. Her commitment to education was evident as she not only

earned her nursing degree as a young woman but returned to school later in life to earn a bachelor’s

degree in business, which she applied to nursing administration roles.

Outside of her professional life, Carol was a woman of many passions. Her faith was central, and she was

a devoted member of First Lutheran Church (FLC) for nearly 60 years. She found joy in donating her time

to the church, traveling near and far, making memories and sharing laughs with family and friends,

participating in bridge clubs, attending sporting events, skiing into her 70’s and hiking into her 80’s. She

also enjoyed all kinds of music, from listening to a variety of artists to routinely attending the symphony.

Family Legacy

Carol is survived by her beloved husband, Kenneth G. Palmen, Sr., and their three children, whom she

viewed as her proudest accomplishment: Kenneth G. “Kenny” Palmen, Jr., Kathryn “Katy” G. Gryboski

(Palmen), and John D. Palmen.

She leaves behind seven grandchildren who brought her immense joy: Kailey and Tyler Palmen; Samson,

Owen, and Evelyn Gryboski; and Patrick and Clara Palmen.

Carol is also survived by six of her seven siblings: Nancy “Nan” Starzecki, Judy Gift, Mike Diesslin,

Cindy “Cyd” Cooper, Lisa Diesslin, and Steve Diesslin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Al and Evelyn, and her brother, Blaine “Butch” Diesslin.

Service Details

A funeral service to celebrate Carol’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 7, at 1:00 pm at First Lutheran

Church in Colorado Springs, with a reception to follow. Those not able to attend may view the live service

via YouTube by searching “YouTube First Lutheran Church Colorado Springs Carol Palmen.” A recording

of the service will be available after the livestream.

A Celebration of Life will also be held in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol’s memory to any of the following:

the FLC Memorial Fund (church-related initiatives); or Friends of the Peak or the Rocky Mountain Field

Institute (hiking trail and open space preservation initiatives).

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”

Mother Teresa

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.”

Phyllis Diller