Carole Ruth Bond, 76, of Preston, Minn., died Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, Minn., after a short illness.
She was born September 27, 1948, in Kewaskum, Wis., to Oscar and Hilda (Seyfert) Seefeldt. The eldest of three children, she was raised on the family farm. She graduated from Kewaskum High School before attending career academy in Milwaukee, Wis.
Carole met the love of her life, Gene Fredrick Bond, in Minnesota, and they fell deeply into what Johnny Cash described best in “their song” as a burning ring of fire. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Carriebeth, in 1969. The family moved to Winthrop, Minn., that same year, where they resided for 18 years.
Carole and Gene moved to Preston, Minn., in the fall of 1987, and Preston truly became their home. Carole worked for 21 years at F&M Community Bank before retiring as assistant vice president in 2014. She was proud of her work at the bank and in her community, serving as founding director of the bank’s Summit Club where she helped organize several trips all over the United States and Europe. She was an avid traveler, seeing nearly all 50 states. Carole lent her skills to many civic and community organizations in the Preston area, including quilt and bridge clubs, the Preston Historical Society, the Preston Lions, and Christ Lutheran Church.
Whether you knew her as a friend, mom, or nana, everyone that knew Carole knew her skills for fiber arts, gardening (whether indoor or out), cooking, and baking. She loved to share these skills with her loved ones, especially her “three S’s” – her grandchildren. She was an immensely talented quilter and also enjoyed rug making and hairpin lace crochet. She was eager to try her hand at any new skill at least once. Her works were featured at the Fillmore County Fair nearly every year, and several were featured at the Minnesota State Fair.
Carole is survived by her daughter, Carriebeth (Leonard) Galatz of Hector, Minn., three grandchildren: Spencer Dolly of Fairfax, Minn., Sam Galatz of Roseville, Minn., and Sierra Galatz of Hector, Minn.; stepdaughter Sherry Seipp of Delaware, Iowa; a brother, Carlton (Sue) Seefeldt of Coloma, Wis.; and a sister, Bethana Herriges of Neenah, Wis.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and parents.
Per Carole’s wishes, no funeral or visitation will occur. She will be cremated and buried with her husband at Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston, Minn. In lieu of flowers, please donate memorials to the Preston Historical Society, the Preston Area Community Foundation, and Relay for Life of Fillmore County. The family would like give thanks to special friends Rick and Sue Grooters, Ron and Marilyn Schreier, Sam and Deb Blackburn, and Elsa Bye for their continued love and support.