Carol Ruth Nicholson Ohlsen, 102, passed away peacefully at Evans Nursing Home in Cresco, Iowa, on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Carol was a Christmas baby, born on December 25, 1920, to Richard and Helen Nicholson in Lynd, Minnesota.
After she graduated from high school in Lynd, Carol went on to St. Olaf College for a year and then transferred to Hamline University, St. Paul, to major in music.
While there, she met her husband, Roger. To this union were born three children, Gretchen, Bruce and Terry. They made their home in Lynd where Roger and Carol’s dad owned a hardware store/ lumber yard. After selling their business in 1962 they moved their family to Luverne, Minnesota, where Carol made her home until 2013 when she moved to Cresco. She lived at Evans Nursing Home her last three years.
Carol was a lifelong musician, spending over 60 years playing organ for various churches in Sioux Falls, Brookings, South Dakota, and Luverne.
Throughout her life she had a variety of occupations. She worked for the Rock County Highway Department, State Farm Insurance, Creeger’s Clothing Store and many years as administrator for the Blue Mound Towers Apts. where she received many state awards. She was a social butterfly playing many games of 500 and bridge with friends and family and enjoying events with Red Hat Society, the Tourist Club and RSVP. She loved to travel and to spend winters in Texas and summer vacations at lakes in northern Minnesota. She especially enjoyed attending symphony concerts in Sioux Falls.
In her 102 years of life, Carol witnessed more history than most ever will: 19 presidents, 22 Minnesota governors, Great Depression, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, the worst act of terrorism on Sept. 11, 2001, and survived Covid 19 twice. She experienced inventions that we take for granted today: Band-Aids, TV, traffic lights, microwaves, Velcro, and numerous others.
Preceding her in death were her parents and two sisters, her husband, Roger, son Terry, son-in-law Ken Becker, grandson Brice, and longtime family friend Jack Dainsburg.
She is survived by Gretchen, Bruce, grandchildren Kimberly (Aaron Johnson) Becker, Todd (Holly) Becker, Amberlee (Eric) Shervin, Bryan Ohlsen, Aaron Ohlsen, Jarod Ohlsen, great-grandchildren Gabriel (Gabby) Becker, Isabella Lehmkuhl, Chloe Becker, Finnley Bonfig, Esmee Ohlsen, Dalton Ohlsen, Freya and Burke Shervin, one great-great grandchild, Aspyn Becker, and many special nieces and nephews.
Carol will be remembered for her wit, sense of humor, classiness, and her love of coffee and chocolate. Her spirit shone brightly to those around her, and everyone who knew her loved her.
The Ohlsen and Becker families would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Evans Nursing Home for the loving and attentive care Carol received while she was a resident there.
A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of Luverne United Methodist Church on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with burial at Maplewood Cemetery following. The family will be there at 1:00 p.m. to welcome guests.