Karol passed away on February 20, 2025 after experiencing a stroke.

Karol was born on November 30, 1950 in Sheridan, WY to Harry and Dorothy Bodine. Karol was born alongside her twin sister and best friend, Karen. Karol attended Sheridan public schools and Sheridan High School (graduating in 1969in the honor society) before going to Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT where she earned her BS in Elementary Education in 1973.

Karol moved to Gillette, WY after graduating from Rocky Mountain College and began her long and inspiring career as an elementary school teacher. Karol taught second, fourth, fifth and sixth graders and would say that fourth graders were her favorite to teach. Karol was a teacher for over 33 years in various public schools in Gillette, WY. Karol put her whole heart into teaching and making sure her students learned. She would decorate her classroom, make sure the holiday parties were great for the students and was just a great teacher overall.

Karol married Randy Tinken in 1981; they later divorced. Karol gained a stepdaughter, Stacey, and other relatives through her marriage to Randy to whom she stayed close with.

Karol loved spending time with family and friends. Karol enjoyed annual camping trips to the Big Horn Mountains for many years with her sisters and their families.
Even though Karol wasn’t into “tenting it,” she enjoyed the cabins or camper. Boat fishing was another thing Karol enjoyed doing with relatives and she loved eating fresh walleye. Karol made sure to attend her nieces high school and college graduations and was a big part of their lives from the minute they were born. Karol’s pies (especially pumpkin and cherry) were a family tradition at
holiday gatherings.

Karol stayed busy in her free time with friends, game groups, going to movies, and going to dinner with friends. Karol cherished the memories of her Bridge group, Sequence group, teaching friends and friends in general. Karol lived in her house and neighborhood in Gillette for over 40 years and formed close friendships with her neighbors. Karol had a few special furry friends throughout her life that brought her much joy-Ginger (a blue heeler mix that came into Karol’s life when a kid in the neighbored knocked on the door and said the puppies needed a home), Duchess (a corgi) and next was Pearle (a corgi).

Karol was a person with a generous personality and giving heart. After she retired from teaching, Karol volunteered and spent her time giving to others. She volunteered at the soup kitchen and was involved in Hospice in Gillette in various roles as an advisory board member, cooking meals for families and co-chairing memorial events for families . Karol also had a part-time job at the public library helping in the children’s department- she loved seeing the kids come in for the summer reading program and story times.

Karol was strong in her Christian faith. She attended High Plains Community Church in Gillette for over 20 years and attended church services in Tioga.

Karol moved to Tioga in September 2022; she never thought she would become a resident of North Dakota but remained strong during the big change in her life. Karol was grateful to be closer to Nick and Allison and they had a lot of positive holidays and weekends together; this was a blessing of her moving to Tioga. She was very excited to meet her future great niece or nephew Kosanda who is
expected to join the world in March 2025. Karol was very social and formed friendships and positive relationships in Tioga after her move.

Karol is survived by her sister, Bethel Bodine of El Cerrito, CA; niece Brooke Schmill and her partner Jon Friedland of El Cerrito, CA; niece Allison Kosanda and her husband Nick Kosanda of Surrey, ND; stepdaughter Stacey Skinner and her husband Jamie of AZ; step-grandsons Jordan and Preston.

Karol was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Dorothy Bodine; her brother Ronald Bodine; her sister Karen Schmill; her sister-in-law Linda Ferrill; and her step-grandson Nicholas Potter.