Carolyn Joann Williamson, 81, of Spearfish, SD passed away on September 18, 2025.
Carolyn Joann Williamson was born on May 29, 1944, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, to Isabelle Darling and Louis Meysembourg. She was later adopted by her stepfather, Allyn Amundson, who raised and loved her as his own. As the eldest of ten siblings—six sisters and three brothers—Carolyn embraced the role with strength and love.
At just seventeen, Carolyn met the love of her life, Gaylord Williamson, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their bond was undeniable, and on January 6, 1962, they embarked on a lifelong adventure together, marrying in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Together, Carolyn and Gaylord built a beautiful life and a loving family, raising four children: Mark (Tina) Williamson of Dandridge, TN, G. Allyn (Linda) Williamson of Spearfish, SD, Wanda (Glenn) Miller of Rapid City, SD and Carol (Donny) Weston of Rapid City, SD.
Carolyn was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought immense joy to her life. She created countless cherished memories with them, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and wisdom.
A woman of many talents, Carolyn was as fearless as she was creative. She could limb a tree with a chainsaw just as effortlessly as she could craft an elaborate dessert like Baked Alaska. She instilled in her family the belief that limitations exist only in the mind and that dreams are achieved through determination and hard work.
Throughout her 53-year marriage to Gaylord, Carolyn lived a life full of adventure, often moving from place to place, embracing each new journey with an open heart. Since 2015, she made her home in Spearfish, SD. She was an active member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, where her unwavering faith and her deep love for her family was the foundation of her kindness and generosity. Carolyn will be deeply missed by her family, her many friends in faith and all who helped her reach her goal, Her Heavenly Home.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gaylord Williamson; her parents, Isabelle and Allyn Amundson; her sister, Jeannie Stoneking; her brothers, Mark and Paul Amundson; and her biological father, Louis Meysembourg.
She will be laid to rest in Spearfish, SD, reunited with her dear Gaylord.
Services will be at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church – 2040 Vista Hills Pl, Spearfish SD 57783, on September 25, 2025. Family viewing will be held from 9:30AM – 10:00AM, public visitation will be from 10:00AM – 10:30AM, with service starting at 11:00AM.
Service arrangements are being handled by Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel.