Carolyn Gail (Dawley) Richards

Carolyn Gail Richards, 92, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Carolyn was born August 12, 1926 in Antigo, Wisconsin to Paul and Blanche (Jewell) Dawley.

On October 10, 1946 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Carolyn married Richard J. Richards who preceded her in death on January 31, 1998.

Carolyn was a member of Agape Christian Church.  She loved participating her bowling, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, tennis, and playing horseshoes.  She loved animals, bird watching, being outdoors, nature and her family.  She was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers.

Carolyn is survived by her twin sister, Carol (Dawley) Guenther; five daughters, Jacqueline Hardesty of La Porte, Indiana, Susan Richards of Woodstock, Illinois, Kathy (Hugh) Tonagel of La Porte, Indiana, Carol Richards of La Porte, Indiana, and Jewell (Brian) Pahl of Winona Lake, Indiana; two sons, Paul (Kathy) Richards of La Porte, Indiana and Thomas Richards of Bass Lake, Indiana; 24 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Betty Zittel and Jewell Byrne; son-in-law, Rolland Hardesty; and daughter-in-law, Judith (Allen) Richards.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Agape Christian Church on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.  The church will open at 10:30 a.m.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana 46350.

Carolyn has requested that memorial contributions may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northern Indiana Chapter, 7301 Georgetown Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 or The La Porte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 West State Road 2, La Porte, Indiana 46350 or Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dunes Hospice for their compassionate loving care of their mother during her final week of life.

Please share prayers, condolences and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

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