Ara Jean Carbonneau

Ara Jean Carbonneau, 70, of Grantville, Kansas, passed away at her home on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

She was born on May 7, 1955, in San Diego, California, to Sidney and Vivian Mae (Echols) Thomas. Ara attended Maricopa High School and was a lifelong member of 4-H. She was also a proud member of the Choctaw Nation.

On December 30, 1982, she married Gary Paul Carbonneau at the San Diego Naval Station Chapel. They shared 42 years of loving marriage.

Ara served for many years in the federal government as a classification specialist in Human Resources, where she was known for her commitment to public service. She was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

She had a deep passion for animals and spent many years training service dogs and raising quarter horses. Ara was actively involved in Great Dane rescue efforts as a member of Our Great Danes United. In addition to her work with animals, Ara created intricate tribal beadwork and enjoyed crocheting in her free time.

She is survived by her husband, Gary Carbonneau of Grantville, Kansas; her daughters, Desiree Martindale (Jessie) of Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Ara Joleen Carbonneau of Yorba Linda, California; and her granddaughter, Madison Sydney Gengler of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Ara was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Vivian Mae Thomas, as well as her siblings.

A visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, with a rosary prayed at 7:30 p.m. Private family inurnment will be in Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California.

Memorial contributions may be made to Save The Giants, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603 or at savethegiants.com.