Carolyn Schatzman passed away on July 9, 2026. Carolyn’s parents, brothers, aunts and uncles, sister-in-law, and her daughter Beth Hundemer, preceded her in death. Sheissurvivedbyherhusband Jim,daughters Lisa(John) Rygiel, daughter Shelly (Donnie) Sowell,sixgrandsons andsix greatgrandchildren andone great, great grandchild.
Carolyn was born in Oklahoma City, OK March 6, 1939, at St. Vincent Hospital. She was the middle child of Lynn B. Gregg and Gwendolyn Faye Williams Gregg. She had an older brother, Don, and a younger brother Bill.
She wanted to attend college for a degree in art, but her parents urged her to seek education in the secretarial fields. Alternately, she found work in an advertising agency but after several months, the pull of a military career drew her in (her brother Don was already serving in the Army), and she joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
Upon graduating boot camp, she was stationed in Norfolk, VA. She then transferred to the Pentagon where she was a stenographer for one of the Undersecretary’s of the Navy. She loved the Marines, but one particular marine she met in Norfolk won her heart. On March 24th, 1959, she married James Schatzman in the HQ Marine Corps Chapel in Arlington, VA. She requested a discharge from the Marines and she and Jim moved to Wisconsin then to Nashville, TN near her parents. She had three daughters, Lisa, Shelly and Beth. They later moved to Memphis, TN.
Carolynbeganworking at a Christian schoolpart timevolunteering in thepre-kindergartenprogram.Shefoundher nicheandbegancollege while still working, graduating withaBachelor of Artsdegree in education. She alsoearned her master’sin education fromMemphis StateUniversity (now Univ.of Memphis).Shetaughtfifthgrade,thenjunior highandsenior highEnglish and art. She lovedit andherstudentslovedher.She also enjoyed sportsand playedbasketball and softball andalsocoached girls ballteams.
Remembering her love of military life, she joinedthe Tennessee Army NationalGuard. She later transferring totheArmy Reserve andserved 24 yearsin Tennessee andArizona, retiringas a master sergeant. She and Jim then moved to Arizonafor jobs where Jim worked in Insurance and Carolyn managed an artgallery.
Upon retirement she and Jim moved again, this time to Trinidad, CO. In retirement she finally had the opportunity to devote her time to her passion, art. Her paintings were sold through the Corazon Gallery, and she painted until dementia overtook her. She joined the Veteran’s Council of Las Animas County, serving as secretary for 10 years. She was part of group of people from the council who were able to gain possession of Ft. Wooten from the county. who She attended the First United Methodist Church in Trinidad and also sang in the Trinidad Community Chorale prior to her illness.
Carolyn was a good wife and mother and especially loved her grandchildren. She also loved animals, especially her dogs. Any memorials you wish to bestow may be sent to the Veteran’s Council of Las Animas County or to PALS Her remains will be moved to the Wisconsin State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Zion’s Lutheran Church in Trinidad, CO at 510 Pine street at 10 AM on July 18, 2026 with a luncheon to follow.
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