Carol Jean Dickson Kalapach, 81, passed away Monday, December 10, 2012. A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, in Biggers Funeral Chapel, Lake Worth. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 Carol Jean Dickson was born to Ralph E. and Feryn Dickson in Kewanee, Illinois She had three siblings, Lois, an older sister, and two brothers, Donald and Robert "Bob," both younger. Carol grew up in a small-town atmosphere where everyone knew each other and deep friendships were common. Carol never lost that keen sense for making friends and valuing them. She graduated from Kewanee High School in 1949 and went to Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, where she met the love of her life, Bernard Kalapach. Carol and "Ben" were married October 11, 1952, at First United Methodist Church in Kewanee. They lived in Griffith, Indiana, and began a family in 1955 with their son Jeffrey. Another son, Bruce, was born in 1957. Jeffrey died from leukemia in 1969 at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis. Carol was a wonderful mother to Bruce and a great homemaker and wife for Ben. They were so much in love for their entire time together. Carol was an accolplished artist and painted numerous landscapes as she visited the actual locations. She was an even better gardener. If Carol couldnt grow a plant, nobody could. Her backyard garden was always beautiful and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden called on her expert advice more than once. She was a fantastic cook and always loved the holidays and festive occasions to make some truly wonderful meals. Carol and Ben began taking cruises in 1978 and continued taking them through May 2011, which was their 25th cruise. They saw the Caribbean many times, Alaska and Europe this way and enjoyed every minute. Before Ben passed away in April 2012, they were actually trying to figure out a way of taking another. Carol will be missed by her family immensely. She had a knack for having fun and being silly with her granddaughter, Stephanie. The Friday night meals, the games in the car, the laughter that ensued. But, it gives us comfort to know that she is once again with Ben, Jeff, her brothers and sister, parents and the Lord God Almighty. Carol was preceded in death by her son Jeffrey; parents; sister, brothers and, of course, her loving husband, Bernard. She is survived by her son, Bruce; daughter-in-law, Lee Ann; granddaughter, Stephanie; and her cocker spaniel, "Peaches."