Carol Mae England, 83, died Friday, August 22, 2008, in Rapid City peacefully in her husbands loving care. She was born December 16, 1924 in Blunt, SD to Elmer and Leah (Welch) Harrington. As a young girl, the family moved to Rapid City where she attended school through graduation from Central High School in 1943. She married her high school sweet heart, James R. England, on July 22, 1943 in Rapid City. In high school she was an extraordinary student, especially enjoying Math Club and she shared her angelic voice in the church choir. As an adult woman she was active in her PEO chapter and was a coordinator for drivers for the American Cancer Society. Carol enjoyed an avid love of gardening, played in several bridge clubs, and traveled the world with a zest for learning. She always embraced new experiences and to all who knew and loved her she was loving, showing a genuine caring for others. She provided a space of empathy and compassion for friends and family alike to share hearts. Carol will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She always received all with open arms, an open heart and a gift for respecting and teaching her family the importance of believing in themselves. Her maternal strength was recognized by each new generation as a source of infinite strength and compassion. Carol is survived by: Her husband James R. England; her son David (Lee Anne) England and their children/grandchildren; Darren (Leah), Kerrigan; Jason (Francine), Mitchell, Skylar; Justin (Pamela), Ryan, Samantha; Nathan (Jennifer), and Joshua; her daughter, Barbara England and her sons Asmund and Ansel; her daughter, Debi (Scott) Francis and their children/grandchildren: Erin Boade, Charity (Chet) Laughlin, Brooke, Nicolas; Melody (Mike) Trimmer, Kaitlyn, Kaedyn, and Airelyn; Aaron (Kari) Francis, Jaylene; and Kevin Francis and her daughter, Robin (Rusty) Douglas and her sister, Myrtle Wiley, Indio, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Leah Harrington, her brothers Milo and Virgil Harrington, and her sister Shirley Driskill Cole. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, August 27 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. A celebration of a life well lived will be 2 p.m. Friday, August 29, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Doug Diehl officiating. In lieu of flowers the memorial to First United Methodist Church has been established. Jim and Carol had their first date at a church gathering on March 9, 1941 after Jim had noticed a remarkable young girl in the choir. They were married in this church and their children were baptized and confirmed in this church. In essence this church was the 7th or first member of their family and they wish to perpetuate this cornerstone.