Obituary for Carol Faye Kimmich

Carol Faye Shanks Kimmich, 82, of Olathe, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2023.

Carol was born on August 9, 1940 in Kansas City, KS to Marvin and Faye (Kelly) Ott. She attended Wyandotte High School where she played the clarinet and piano and graduated top of her class in 1958. Carol attended the University of Kansas, beginning three generations of Jayhawks. A member of Chi Omega sorority, Carol received her degree in Education with plans to be a math teacher. Because of her achievements at KU and her induction to Mortar Board Honor Society, her career plans took an exciting and surprising twist when IBM offered her a position as a computer programmer—years before KU offered a computer programming degree.

Carol had an amazing programming career and retired at age 65. After working at IBM, she taught herself new, modern programming languages and started her own company after her daughters were born. She had many claims to fame in her career, one of which was installing the first computer for NCAA. Carol had many clients through the years in addition to NCAA including Fred Pryor Seminars, American Chianina, National Medical, Kramer Products, Systems Material Handling (SMH) and Favorite Nurses before joining a start-up company, Data Systems International, as the 8th employee and helping DSI grow to become a large company.

For many years, Carol was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed volunteering at the Clothes Closet, helping with the prayer chain and mentoring teens during confirmation classes. Carol enjoyed her friends and family! She loved playing bridge, attending happy hours with friends, exercising at the YMCA and being at family gatherings. She remained close with many high school and college friends over the years. Carol always prioritized time with her family and kept a meticulous calendar of everyone’s schedules.

Carol loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and many countries around the world and was an avid KU basketball fan sharing play by play commentary with her brother during each game. Whether Carol was going to play bridge, going to lunch, enjoying a happy hour or a family event, she always stayed busy and loved it that way. She made the effort to have one-on-one time with each grandchild doing what they preferred – lunch, ice cream, shopping or dinners. She never met a stranger and loved getting to know new people. She found a way to have a special connection with each person she met. Carol will be missed by many and will be forever in our hearts.

Carol is survived by her brother Ken (Cindy) Ott and her daughters, Susan (Kent) Lyman, and Karen (Jeff) Laube and five grandchildren: Lindsey (DJ) Balazs, Lauren Lyman, Mitch (McKenna) Laube, Trevor Laube, Evan Laube; and her three stepsons: Bob (Denise) Kimmich, Jeff (JoAnne) Kimmich, Mike (Lynne) Kimmich and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob Kimmich, and step-grandson, Justin Kimmich.

Visitation will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe, followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. The family suggests memorial contributions to KU Alumni Association or Grace United Methodist Church.