A Tribute toCarol Krefting-Youngberg
Carol Krefting-Youngberg was born July 10, 1918 to Albert and Ella Krefting of Saint Paul, MN. Carol lived in Kirkland, WA for over 65 years. She passed away after a brief illness on November 29, 2011. She died peacefully at home in the presence of her family.She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Roland Krefting and her son Roland. Carol is survived by her husband of sixty-eight years, Carl Youngberg; her daughter Vicki Peck of Unalaska, Alaska; and son Allan of San Diego, California. Carol and Carl have 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.Carol’s life-long pursuits included learning, writing, gardening, craft arts and, most passionately, teaching. After raising her children, she earned her BA degree in education at Seattle Pacific University. She taught at Thoreau Elementary for several years in the Lake Washington School District. Later, she taught memoir writing in the adult education program in Bellevue, WA. She believed in teaching students to learn to think, and to express those thoughts, in ways that would help them solve problems themselves.A teacher first, and a writer second, Carol expressed her love of beauty in many ways. Gardening in Kirkland was a hobby she pursued ardently for over 60 years. She was a long-time member of the Eastside Garden Club and established a large garden always full of berries and flowers.Being proud of her Norwegian heritage, she was a charter member of the “Daughters of Norway” and enjoyed making Norwegian food specialties.She also loved to sew, and in her late seventies took up cloth doll making and gave dolls to loved ones to commemorate special events. She is best remembered for her unique pottery creations. She displayed her artistry in the various forms, textures and glazing she used on her pieces. Using her own designs, she handcrafted each pottery piece into completely individual works of art, which she gave out to family and friends.Carol was a warm, independent person passionate about helping people learn. She was always deeply interested in an array of topics and loved to share her discoveries.The Youngberg family will hold a celebration of life for Carol Krefting-Youngberg early in 2012. An inscription dedicated to her memory will be etched in stone at the Tahoma National Cemetery with a space reserved for Carl, a distinction provided by Carl’s WWII service in the Navy.
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