Caroline Crist

Caroline Louise Crist was born in Laredo, Texas on April 22nd, 1943, to Roy and Leona Crist. Roy was stationed there during World War II, but after the war, the family returned to Kansas where Caroline was raised primarily on the plains of Kansas. She spent 8 years of her time there on a wheat and cattle farm where she participated in 4-H and numerous school activities. After her graduation from McDonald Rural High School, she moved on to attend both Kansas State University and the University of Kansas pursuing a degree in education. That education launched her as a teacher of elementary grades.

In December of 1964 Caroline married Robert C. Robertson (Clio). The two of them lived in Kansas City and Lenexa while Caroline taught elementary school and Clio completed medical school and an internship. Following his internship Clio entered military service which resulted in a move for the couple to Bossier City, LA. Then in July of 1970 the couple moved to Rochester, MN where Clio entered a residency at the Mayo Clinic and Caroline continued teaching elementary school. During the next few years they had two sons, Christopher and Ryan.

In July of 1974 the family moved to Tulsa, OK. Here Caroline acquired a master’s degree in Urban Studies which gave her the chance to work as Assistant Director of the Tulsa Downtown Association. During these years she worked on revitalization efforts for the city of Tulsa, including the development of the annual Mayfest Festival. She also pursued skiing with trips to Colorado and became a very accomplished bicyclist. She made sure her sons acquired those same skills and that they became excellent students as well.

Her next move was to become Director for the Bellevue Downtown Association in Washington State. Here she was able to fully utilize her skills in urban development that helped Bellevue develop a vital heart for the city. Her leadership in Bellevue was recognized by her board and by community leaders over the years she served. After her retirement in 1998, she married Fred VanBuren and intended to spend time traveling with him. Unfortunately, in 2000, she was in a major traffic accident which altered her life forever. Major head trauma meant that she could no longer do many of the things she had been doing.

One of Caroline’s lifelong passions was following the University of Kansas Jayhawks. She developed many friendships through this activity and spent many fun hours cheering them on in sports pubs in the Georgetown area of Seattle. Even following her auto accident her passion for her Alma Mater remained strong. Her son Christopher remembers that he could always cheer her up by yelling “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!”. Even in the twilight of her life this would bring a smile to her face. She was a Jayhawk through and through!

Caroline passed away peacefully on July 13th, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Ryan, and her brother Kenneth. She is survived by her husband Fred VanBuren, her son Christopher (Kimchi Phan), her sisters Judith Whaley (Robert) and Margo Crist, and her granddaughter Ava Robertson.

Caroline will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A memorial service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood with inurnment in Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com