Carnival & Fair Buzz

Carol Wisdom, 68, of Sterling, Colorado, passed away peacefully in Greeley, Colorado January 5th, 2026. She was born May 17, 1957, in Sterling, Colorado, to Gerald “Jerry” and Elaine Wisdom.

She spent her childhood traveling the country with her parents, working on the family carnival until around the age of 14, when the carnival was sold and the family transitioned into full-time manufacturing. She graduated from Sterling High School and later attended college at the University of Northern Colorado.

Following college, she joined the family business, Forsythe & Dowis Rides, manufacturing amusement rides delivered worldwide. She devoted more than 50 years to the amusement ride industry. She was blessed to work alongside her parents and her brother, Victor Wisdom, whom she dearly loved throughout those years. Her love of family was extraordinary, and working together as a family was one of the great blessings of her life.

Service to others was central to her life. She generously gave her time and energy to countless causes and never turned away an organization in need. She took pride not only in helping in the moment, but in strengthening organizations for long-term success. She served on the Logan County Lodging Tax Board, supported the Logan County Humane Society, was a member of the Sterling Chapter of the Eastern Star, faithfully supported the Boy Scouts of America for many years, and enjoyed being part of the Master Chorale.

She also found joy and peace in crocheting, a hobby she loved and shared with others.

She had a deep love for animals; to anyone who knew her, her dogs were truly the center of her world.

Carol will always be remembered for her kindness to others. She was always willing to help in any way she could, whether providing financial assistance, helping with everyday needs, or sitting down to help someone work through paperwork, documents, or life’s challenges. Helping people was simply who she was.

Carol was deeply appreciative of and profoundly grateful for her longtime caregivers, Pennie Ramey, Raynee Derr, and Alivia Horvath, who compassionately cared for her throughout her more than decade-long battle with cancer. She was a fighter at every turn and never allowed her diagnosis to define her or slow her down. She faced every challenge with courage, determination, and grace, never giving up her fight or her faith that God would carry her through. Without them by her side, her life would not have been as full during her final years.

She is survived by her brother, Victor (Mai) Wisdom; her daughter, Vanessa (Greg) Davis; and her son, Jared Davis; her grandchildren Ryleigh Davis, Analise Baray, Veronica Baray, Joshua (Alexandria) Anderson, Randel Anderson, Paul Ortiz, Eva (Kyle) Cuckow, and Cody Anderson; and her great-grandchildren Avery, McKenna, and Dominic Ortiz; Owen, Amara, Ava, Ariel, and Liam Brubacher; Camden and Carolynne Anderson; Paisley, Pyper, and Prewitt Anderson; Chloie, McKenzie, Hunter, and Gannon Cuckow; and Trenton Anderson. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald “Jerry” and Elaine Wisdom, and her granddaughter, Sharee Brubacher.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 10, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Sterling, Colorado.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 9, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the NJC Scholarship Foundation or the Logan County Humane Society, c/o Halouska Family Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.