Carol Virginia Gaustad

January 20, 1924 - March 17, 2015

Carol Virginia Gaustad, age 91, died March 17, 2015 at Tweeten Lutheran Healthcare Center. Carol was born to Andrew and Emma (Rosten) Thorson on January 20, 1924 on their family farm in rural Spring Grove. She attended grade school at Melbraaten District #57, was a 1941 Spring Grove High School graduate, and later took classes in business and tax preparation. After her marriage to Ernest Gaustad they farmed his home farm for a number of years, and in 1956 purchased an appliance and propane gas business that they owned and operated under the name of “Ernie’s Appliance” for 32 years. Carol also worked as an income tax preparer, and later owned and operated “The Color Box”, for a short time. In 1980 she became the first manager of the Spring Grove Manor. Carol and Ernie were 4-H and Boy Scout leaders, and were involved in numerous community organizations: PTA, Commercial Club, Syttende Mai Committee, in which Carol held various offices. She was honored as “Mest Hoyaktet Dame” of Spring Grove’s Syttende Mai in 1992. Carol was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, Minnesota. An active member, she served on church council, and was a member and officer of the Trinity Lutheran Women’s Association. Carol enjoyed gardening and baking. Her interest in the environment led her to volunteer as an observer for the National Weather Service. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage, and enjoyed the opportunity to travel in Norway twice, tracing ancestral roots, and meeting relatives. Carol’s great passion, however, was writing. She wrote human interest stories for the local newspaper, and one of her poems is included in the 2001 Edition of New Millennium Poets and the Sound of Poetry Album. Many of her writings conveyed a common theme of taking time to enjoy small, lovely moments in each day. Carol is survived by two daughters: Carolyn of Caledonia, and Nancy (Dick) Engrav of Mabel; one son, Gordon (Carol) of Decorah, IA; one granddaughter, Emily of Milwaukee, WI; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her husband, Ernie; five sisters, and one brother preceded her in death.