Carole Noelle Edginton

Carole N. Edginton, known to readers and students around the world by her pen name Lulu Edge, passed away peacefully in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on October 20, 2025, at the age of 58.

Born on November 4, 1966, in California, to Susan and Christopher Edginton, Carole devoted her life to inspiring creativity, kindness, and curiosity in children and young adults through storytelling, education, and global youth programming. A prolific author, she published more than two dozen children's books, including Buddha Bear, Nova the Butterfly Princess, Flower Refugee, Tendo and the Bug Wars, Beautiful Babies Around the World, and Wisdom of the Ocean. Her stories­—filled with empathy, color, and wonder—encouraged children to see themselves as part of a larger, compassionate world.

For more than thirty years, Carole served with Camp Adventure Child and Youth Services, leading programs and training young educators across more than twenty countries, from Japan and Korea to Germany, Italy, and Spain. She also conducted child and youth programs for museums, including the Hearst Museum in Cedar Falls, the Grout Museum in Waterloo, and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, where she organized children's events, readings, and cultural learning programs, bringing her unique blend of creativity and cross-cultural learning to a wider community. She later founded Glass Marble Adventures in Learning and Creative Wirks™, initiatives that blended art, science, and cultural exploration into imaginative educational experiences for children and families across the Midwest.

An accomplished academic, Carole earned her B.A. in Humanities from the University of Northern Iowa, an M.A. in Asian Studies from Iowa State University, and pursued an Ed.D. (ABD) in Allied Health, Recreation, and Community Services at UNI. She taught sociology, anthropology, and East Asian history for more than fifteen years at Mount Mercy University, Upper Iowa University, and the University of Northern Iowa. Her research and publications reflected her belief in cross-cultural understanding, humanitarian service, and the healing power of creativity.

Carole's contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including Camp Adventure Founder's Award (2008) and the Institute for Youth Leaders Award of Excellence (2017).

Carole is survived by her loving mother, Susan Edginton; her cherished daughters, Hanna Fulks and Lily Edginton-Hansbrough; her brother, David Edginton; and her extended family of nieces, nephews, students, and friends whose lives were brightened by her humor, imagination, and boundless generosity.

She will be remembered always for her radiant spirit, her deep love for children, and the countless lives she touched with imagination and grace.

Carole's celebration of life will be held at 11am, Thursday, October 30, 2025, in the worship center at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with visitation an hour prior. Memorial contributions in Carole's memory may be directed to her family for the benefit of her daughters, Hanna and Lily. Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences with the family.