Carolyn Elaine Bolen

Carolyn “Elaine” Bolen of Mexia, Texas, took her final, peaceful nap on March 12, 2026, while listening to music and surrounded by the nurses who cared for her. Born in Boise, Idaho on April 29, 1944, to Wes and Carol Lyons, Elaine grew up with a big laugh, a bigger heart, and a gift for caring that shaped her whole life.

A retired nurse and lifelong nurturer, Elaine was equal parts compassionate caregiver, loyal friend, and partner-in-crime to her late husband, Bill “Pop” Bolen. Together, they perfected the art of grandparenting — mainly by spoiling their grandchildren absolutely rotten and pretending to be innocent when called out.

Elaine’s laugh could fill a room; her sarcasm was legendary, and her devotion to her patients and fellow nurses was unmatched. She was never one to sit still when someone needed help, a good story, or a shoulder to lean on. She gave of herself freely, sometimes to the point of exasperating those who loved her most, and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill (“Pop”), and her sister Judy Wohlert. She leaves behind a family who adored her and will keep her jokes, stories, and stubborn streak alive: her children, Jim Junkin of Lynnwood, WA, Angela Richter of Hewitt, TX, and Lisa Miklojachak of Mexia, TX; her beloved grandchildren: Patricia Gaylor, Elene Junkin, Nathan Junkin, PFC Jeremy Junkin, DJ Bartlett, Clint Bartlett, Marie Aping, and Jasmine Bartlett, Damian Miklojachak, Jr., Jessica Cisneros, Savannah Miklojachak, and Vivian Miklojachak; and great-grandchildren: Kenneth, Brandon, Evie, SJ, Jackson, Sophie, Noah, Vera, and Seamus.

Because Elaine had very clear instructions (she swore she'd come back to haunt anyone who threw her a “sad” funeral), the family will be celebrating her life privately with laughter, stories, and quite possibly cake as her ashes are reunited with Pop’s at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Elaine’s family invites you to honor her legacy in the two ways she cared most about:

• For Children: Donations may be made to The Limestone County Child Welfare Board, which provides safety packs to children entering foster care. Donations can be made online at limestonechildwelfare.com via the PayPal button, or mailed to The Limestone County Child Welfare Board, PO Box 335, Mexia, TX 76667 (“In Memory of Elaine Bolen”).
• For Nursing: Memorial gifts may be given to the Limestone Medical Center Foundation’s Nursing Education Scholarship Fund. Forms are available at groesbeckhospital.com/lmc-foundation and may be mailed to the Limestone Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 474, Groesbeck, TX 76642 (designate “In Memory of Elaine Bolen”).

Elaine believed in living in the moment, laughing out loud, and loving without limits — and she did all three without apology. Her family takes comfort in knowing that somewhere, she’s reunited with Pop, sharing a laugh, and probably plotting something hilarious.