Carolyn Orrine (Nagel) Erickson, Amidon, N. Dak., passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in the Menards checkout line in Dickinson, N. Dak.
The funeral service was Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Bowman Lutheran Church. A family and friends service was held Monday evening, June 21, at the Lebanon Lutheran Church, Amidon.
Born to Orrin and Clarice (Bessingpas) Nagel on June 27, 1938, in Cresco, Iowa, Carolyn was the oldest of five children, followed by two sisters, Lois and Ardis, and two brothers, Harlan and Roger. Tragically, Roger, the youngest child in the family, died of an aneurysm in 1997 at age 45.
Carolyn was raised on a farm near Cherry Grove, Minn., and attended elementary school in Cherry Grove; she also attended Wykoff High School, and graduated from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. At Luther College, she met her future husband, Jerry Erickson. They were married June 3, 1961, at the Cherry Grove EUB church, officiated by Carolyn’s uncle, Oscar Monson.
Jerry went on to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, and became a pastor; Carolyn began her teaching career. At a young age, Carolyn began playing the piano and organ for church services, weddings and funerals. She could play with no music – just a happy smile. At the time of her death, she was volunteering at the Lebanon Lutheran Church, Amidon Senior Citizens, Amidon Community Food Shelf and Amidon Cemetery Association. She was the cheerleader of her family and friends.
Even though music was her passion, she also enjoyed traveling back to her home farm near Cherry Grove, and visiting all of her children and their families at their homes. Recently, she accompanied family members on a trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
June 3, 2021, marked Jerry and Carolyn’s 60th wedding anniversary. The family celebrated in Fargo, June 5. All their children, grandchildren and most of their siblings attended.
Carolyn was predeceased by her parents Orrin and Clarice Nagel, and her youngest brother, Roger.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jerry; children and their spouses: Mark and Sue Erickson of Bismarck, N. Dak., Kyrsten Braun and Pape of St. Paul, Minn., and Angie and Shawn McCarthy of Fargo, N. Dak.; grandchildren: Alec, Adam, Benjamin, Marlee, Megan and Cullen; her siblings Lois Nagel of Cherry Grove, Minn., Harlan Nagel of Cherry Grove, Minn., Ardis and Greg Grossback of Owatonna, Minn., and Della and Mark Davis of Gainesville, Fla.
Carolyn will live on in our hearts forever and one day we will meet again in heaven. May she rest in peace.