Carol Jean Stearns was born March 21, 1960, to Joel and Nyla (Kleine) Stearns in Luverne. She attended Luverne schools and graduated in 1978. Carol graduated from SMSU in Marshall and then moved to southern California to work at General Dynamics.
In 1989 she married Jeff Grant in Pomona, California, and they had two daughters, Sarah and Hannah. Jeff and Carol later divorced. Carol worked at Pomona College as a budget analyst for many years.
Carol married Ken Seumalo on Nov. 11, 2011, and they lived in Redlands, California. Four years ago Carol and Ken moved to a small ranch near Mountain Center, California, where they enjoyed their dogs and many horses, chickens, and goats.
Carol died peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at her home with her husband and daughters nearby.
Carol is survived by her husband, Ken; daughters Hannah and Sarah Grant; son-in-law Ryan Safty; stepsons David and Peter Seumalo; brothers Edward (Allene) Stearns, David (Diane) Stearns, Walter (Kathe) Stearns; sisters Ruth (Rolly) Johnson, Nancy (Dan) Blomgren, Susan (Bob) Egan; her mother-in-law Misako Seumalo; and her sister-in-law Ani Seumalo.
She was preceded in death by her parents.