Carol Ahshapanek Obituary

Carol Loann Paddlety Ahshapanek, 83 of Anadarko, Oklahoma entered into eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 7, 2025 at home surrounded by her family. Carol was born June 15, 1942 at the USPHS Indian Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma to James "Big Jim" Paddlety JR and Joan Horsechief.
Carol grew up in Anadarko and graduated from Riverside Indian School in 1961. While attending Riverside she participated in softball, basketball, was elected football homecoming queen and was President of the Student Council.
While in high school she participated in the Candy Striper program at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. There she took care of her then future husband Don Ahshapanek. She married her lifelong love on September 28, 1962 at Angie Smith Memorial Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born to this union were three sons, Darren, Don Jr (Shaunde) and Brian. They were married for 52 years prior to Don's passing in 2015.
Carol stayed home raising her boys, then returned to college and graduated from Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawerence, Kansas. She then pursued her nursing career. Carol graduated from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas in 1979 with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. Carol worked in many health care specialty areas and retired from the Indian Health Service after 20 years of service. While working with the IHS she was a Public Health Nurse and served in the Commission Corps. She worked at Phoenix IHS, Pawhuska IHS Clinic, Lawton Indian Hospital and Anadarko Indian Health Center. She retired in the early 2000's.
Carol was a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. She also was a descendant of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. Carol was elected as the 1958 Wichita Tribal Princes, was a member of the Wichita Service Club and a member of the Kiowa War Mothers organization.
Most paramount of Carol's life was her salvation and relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Carol was a member of the First Baptist Church in Anadarko where she attended church and Sunday school. Carol was preceded in death by her father James "Big Jim" Paddlety JR, mother Joan Horsechief, paternal grandparents James Paddlety, SR and wife Annie Blackbear, maternal grandparents John Horsechief and wife Alice Pickard, sister Jamie Paddlety, brothers Garland "Red" Paddlety, Clifton Paddlety and James Paddlety III.
Survivors include brother Darrell Paddlety and wife Brenda of Arizonia, sister Rose of Oklahoma City, sons Darren and wife Michelle of Anadarko, Don Ahshapanek JR and wife Loriann of Mississippi and Brian Ahshapanek of Anadarko.
Grandchildren: Rebekah Ahshapanek, Daniel Ahshapanek, Andrew Ahshapanek and wife Sunshine, Sean Ahshapanek and Barbara, Don Ahshapanek III and wife Traci, Tia Ahshapanek, Niya Ahshapanek and Paul Johnson. Great grandchildren: Jaci Poncho, Michelle Meeks, Jocelyn Ahshapanek, Shaunde Ahshapanek, Daez C Ahshapanek, Daezia Ahshapanek and Houston Ahshapanek.
The family would like to thank Russell Murray Hospice for their exceptional compassionate care.