Our beloved mother and grandmother, Carol A. DeLeo, died on August 26 after a long and courageous battle with respiratory illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Margaret Beardshear, ex-husband David DeLeo, daughter Gina, and granddaughter Liberty. Carol is survived by her son Jim (Melissa), and granddaughters Kristiana and Talia.

Born in Rapid City South Dakota, Carol grew up in the Black Hills and the Iron Range of Minnesota, graduating from Hibbing High School in 1956. She attended Macalester College in Minneapolis, graduating with a BA in 1960. She married David DeLeo, also of Hibbing, and raised two children, Gina and Jim. Carol became a teacher in the Babbitt Minnesota school system, and after teaching served as chairwoman of the school board. Eventually Carol moved back to South Dakota, and she is best known for her innovative and award winning work in special education, where she became a leader in South Dakota's efforts to serve children and families of children with heightened needs. She retired to Arizona, where she made amazing friends who she loved, rarely missing an opportunity to get together and enjoy their company.

Carol was an avid adventurer, aviator, sailor and outdoors-woman. She accomplished lofty goals and was a force for the betterment of the community. Above all, she was a mother and grandmother of whom we are extremely proud.

A celebration of Carol's life will be held at La Joya assisted living center of La Posada in Green Valley, Arizona, at 2:30PM on September 17th. Carol will be interred in Spearfish, South Dakota and an announcement on date and time will be made in the near future.