Dr. Carolyn J. Rants

Dr. Carolyn J. Rants, 87, of Sioux City died at her home unexpectedly Friday, March 8, 2024.

A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 am Saturday, March 16, 2024, at First United Methodist Church, Sioux City, with visitation one hour prior. The family is being assisted with arrangements by Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.christysmith.com.

Carolyn Rants was born October 3, 1936, in Hastings, Nebraska, the daughter of John and Christine (Helzer) Halloran.  She graduated from Hastings High School, attended Hastings College, and later received a B.Ed. from the University of Omaha, a M. Ed. From the University of Nebraska and an Ed.D. from the University of South Dakota.  She married Marvin Rants in 1957 and they later divorced in 1984.

Carolyn began her 50-year career in education teaching elementary school in Nebraska and Michigan, then later as a faculty member in the education department at Morningside College, and Vice President at both Morningside College and Western Iowa Tech Community College.  She retired in 2007.

She was active in many organizations.  Carolyn was a 60-year member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), a professional honorary Society for women educators and served as state president from 1997-1999 and International President from 2008-2010.  During her term as president, she lived in downtown Austin, Texas.  Carolyn received the International DKG Achievement Award in 2011 and the state achievement award in 1999.

Carolyn was a member and president of Phi Delta Kappa and was commended with the Bessie Gabbard Award Celebrating Leadership of Women in Phi Delta Kappa in 2001.

She was a 50-year member of P.E.O. and a 39-year member of Quota of Siouxland.  Carolyn was active in her community and state serving on many boards and commissions from the Partners Board at Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital; the Sioux City Symphony; Leadership Sioux City; the Siouxland Y; Girls Inc; the state of Iowa’s Civil Rights Commission and Vision Iowa Board.   

She was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church and served on most boards and committees.   She enjoyed playing handbells at the church.  Carolyn was passionate about music and most recently was teaching piano to young students at the church.

Carolyn enjoyed travelling, visiting all fifty states and numerous countries.  She enjoyed art, and numerous card clubs. But her greatest passion was for instilling the values and qualities of “leadership” in other women.    It was not lost on anyone, least of all her granddaughters the irony of her passing on International Women’s Day.   

She is survived by two sons, Christopher and wife, Trudy, of Sioux City, and Douglas and wife, Jennifer, of Grimes, Iowa; four granddaughters, Dr. Grace and husband, Jay Welp, of Springfield, Illinois, Katharine Rants of Orland Park, Illinois, Sydney Rants of Grimes, Iowa, and Jillian Rants of Grimes, Iowa; and one brother, Richard Halloran of Hastings, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Paul Halloran and wife, Diane, of Belleville, Illinois; and sister-in-law, Connie Halloran of Hastings, Nebraska.

Memorial gifts may be made to Delta Kappa Gamma International - https://www.dkg.org/DKGIEFDONATE/DKGIEFDONATE/Donate_Now.aspx?itemid=IEFUNASSIGN  or First United Methodist Church - http://siouxcityfirst.com/845273