Carolyn M. Voran

Carolyn M. Voran, resident of Kidron Bethel in North Newton, passed away peacefully in her

sleep on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at the age of 84. She was born to Otto and Ella

Bachman of Moundridge, KS, on March 25, 1935, at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton.

Carolyn was the youngest of four children, two of whom, Kathy Schroeder and Norma Wiens,

preceded her in death, along with her parents. Brother Gene Bachman and wife Amy live in

Mound ridge.

After graduating from Moundridge High School, Carolyn attended two years at Bethel College

before meeting and marrying the love of her life, Omar L. Voran, of Kingman, in the West Zion

Mennonite Church of Moundridge, on August 22, 1954. The couple raised three children, Doug

Voran (wife Heather) of Amarillo, TX; Brad Voran (wife Debbie) of Wichita; and daughter Lori

Schmidt (husband William) also of Wichita. Together they have six grandchildren and four great

grandchildren, living across the country from California, Minnesota, Texas, Kansas and

Arkansas.

During her life Carolyn was a steadfast supporter of the performing arts, particularly classical

music. Her lifelong passion, however, was singing and vocal music. Over the span of her

lifetime, Carolyn was very involved in musical organizations and performing groups, including

the Newton Master Chorale and other choral groups associated with Drake University in Des

Moines, Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, and Bethel College. She served as youth and

adult choir director, bell choir director and music librarian during her time in Minneapolis, MN,

Des Moines, Marshalltown, and Hawarden, IA. During her life, she served on various concert

series and community boards, including the Des Moines Community Concert Series, Bethel

College Women’s Association, Bethel College Life Enrichment Committee, and the Bethel

College Mennonite Church Worship Committee. While in Marshalltown, IA, she served as the

community chairperson for the successful school bond election that built a performing arts

theater for the Marshalltown High School.

Among Carolyn and Omar’s most cherished memories was their honeymoon trip to Colorado,

trips to Israel, the Middle East, Scandinavia, and China. She and Omar participated in 12

bicycle rides across the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. Additionally, she enjoyed other diverse

interests like calligraphy, and worked as a classical music radio personality for KFMG FM, Des

Moines. Carolyn was interested in any sporting event, and for years faithfully kept a

play-by-play scorecard for the Minnesota Twins while listening to radio broadcasts in Des

Moines.

Visitation will be held at Petersen Family Funeral Home, 215 N. Main St., Newton, on Sunday,

February 16 and Monday, February 17, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.. A memorial service will be held at

the Bethel College Mennonite Church at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Any

monetary donations should be earmarked to any dementia research facility the donor chooses.