Carol Davis Junek, 88, retired librarian, passed away on February 28, 2015, at Aspen Grove Assisted Living Center in Sturgis. In addition to her many years of library service, she will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother who selflessly cared for others and quietly, yet persistently, managed her own care even as her health declined in the past year.

Carol Ann Collins was born September 16, 1926, in Montevideo, MN, as the second youngest of nine children born to Nicholas and Nellie Collins. She graduated from Presentation School of Nursing in Aberdeen in 1947. Following graduation she worked as a cadet nurse at the Ft. Meade Veterans Administration Medical Center. She married Sturgis resident and longtime barber Dale A. Davis on October 16, 1948.

Carol began her library career in 1959 working part-time at the Sturgis Public Library. She was named librarian in March 1966. Under her leadership, the library modernized and expanded, and was frequently recognized by the State Library Commission for providing outstanding service to the community. During this time, the Sturgis Library began providing school library services and operating a bookmobile throughout a 3,000 square mile area. Carol oversaw installation of the first computer in the library and was well-versed in various technologies. In 1974, the South Dakota Library Commission honored Carol as Librarian of the Year, the second person to ever receive this award. Governor Bill Janklow proclaimed November 16, 1985, as Carol Davis Day to honor her career at the Sturgis Public Library. Her children believed she had read every book in the library, a notion she never dispelled.

In 1986 she retired from the Sturgis Public Library and became a reference librarian in the medical library of Rapid City Regional Hospital, a position she held until her retirement in 1996. Carol was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1997 at ceremonies held at the South Dakota Library Association's Annual Conference in October of that year. She was cited for her 37 years of service to library patrons in South Dakota and for her commitment to the South Dakota Library Association as a 30-year member. Her dedication to her profession and to her community set a standard for others to follow, according to the citation.

Dale and Carol were married 48 years, during which time they raised three children and enjoyed golf, snowmobiling, traveling and many other activities. While in Sturgis, Carol was active in the Republican Party, PEO, Zonta, Presbyterian Women, the Sturgis Arts Council and Delta Kappa Gamma. Dale and Carol moved to County Club Village in Spearfish in 1987 where they enjoyed a new community and many new friends. Dale died on October 9, 1996.

Carol married Gerald Junek of Spearfish on Dec. 15, 1997. They enjoyed 12 years together, which was complicated, but not derailed, by an injury that disabled Jerry soon after their marriage. Carol accepted the challenge of caring for Jerry at home with the same love, grace and sense of purpose that characterized everything she did throughout her life.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings, husbands, Dale Davis and Gerald Junek. She is survived by two daughters, Lauren (Stuart) Kingsbery of Louisville, CO, and Peggy (Pat) Cheever of Castle Pines, CO; son, Robert Davis of Sturgis; four grandchildren, John Cheever (Megan), Atlanta, GA, Kelli Cheever, Washington, DC, Kate Kingsbery, Denver, CO, and Sarah Kingsbery, Kyle, TX. Also surviving is her brother, Roy Collins of Joliet, IL; many nieces and nephews; and other extended family members.

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