Monday, April 14, 2025, Carol A. Aten passed away at Swedish Hospital in Denver, almost achieving her 92nd birthday. Carol Anne Harris was born in Phelps County Nebraska May 8, 1933, to Ivan Earnest and Lulu Eloise Berry Harris. She grew up in North Platte and Grand Island, Nebraska. She graduated from Grand Island High School where her major interests were debate, public speaking, math, journalism, and drama in addition to Girl Scouts.

She attended Kearney State College where she was a member of the debate squad and where she met Kenneth Lamont Aten. They were married on May 25, 1952, in Grand Island, Nebraska. They were married for 58 years until Ken's death in February 2011. They lived in Holdrege, Newman Grove, Central City, Hershey, Gibbon (Nebraska), and Norfolk, Virgina before settling down in North Platte, Nebraska in 1967 to help her husband create the college known as Mid-Plains Vocational/Technical School.

They had six children: Kathryn Lynn (Ronald Stauss), Dr. Laurie Anne Aten (all of Dallas, Texas); Colin Kenneth Aten (North Platte, Nebraska); Leslie Ellen (George "Chip" Hord) (Golden, Colorado); Erin Leigh Aten, and Seanna Carol (Allan Collins) (all of North Platte). There are five grandchildren: Shawn Calvin Aten, Seth Donald Aten, Jennifer Carolyn Hord Trujillo, Devin MacKenzie Hord, and Dalten Allan Collins, as well as five great grandchildren; Parker Calvin Aten, Ani Elizabeth Aten, Brock Colin Aten, Kenlee Jo Aten, and Guinevere Courtney Collins.

From the time they were married until Ken's death they were partners, especially with Ken's projects whether it was cabinet making, starting a college, refinishing and upholstering furniture, collecting antiques, or genealogy. Carol was incredibly involved with Girl Scouts and was a lifetime member of Girl Scouts. Since she enjoyed Girl Scouts during her school years, she continued that commitment with her daughters' troops and collaborating with adult leaders. She was a troop leader until she retired in 2020 at the age of 87. For several years she worked as a Girl Scout professional and was a Council officer for twenty years in western Nebraska. Family was always first in Carol's life. She had a great love for children and a desire to help people. Many people considered Carol a second mom or grandma. She was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church. Carol received various community awards including the Cody Scout Award and the Carolyn Sloan Girl Scout Award.

Carol is survived by her sister, Linda Harris of Grand Island, two nieces and a nephew and was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Wayne and George Harris, and sister Janet Lopeparo.

Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 26, at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation is from 12-5 pm and visitation with the family is from 5-7 pm on Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which oversees the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the Girl Scouts of America. Online condolences may be expressed at www.carpentermemorial.com