Carolyn Alett Anderson was born on December 6, 1940, to George and Martha (Larson) Anderson at the Tyler Hospital in Tyler, Minnesota. She had no siblings. Due to birth complications which required surgery and a full body cast as a young girl, it made walking more difficult her entire life and was wheel chair bound for many years. She was amazing and did not complain unless she was really hurting. She took life “One Day At A Time” which was also one of her favorite songs. Carolyn was baptized and confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton, Minnesota. Growing up she attended country school and later graduated from Balaton High School. A big part of her life was her pet dogs, to name a couple: Bing & Dolly (her St. Bernards), and parakeet, Dickie. He was taught to talk and mock them saying “Dickie is a nice boy” and “coffeetime” and then was given a small corner of their toast dunked in Martha’s wonderful coffee.
Her life work consisted of helping keep house which she termed “the Hotel” due to the size and washing lots of dishes as her Mom made many wedding and special occasion cakes. Much time was spent with cousins and we enjoyed staying overnight at each other’s houses. She enjoyed so much when cousins, Andy, MaryAnn, and Don would come from Tucson, Arizona and entertain on guitar, piano and fiddle. She always requested Don play “Orange Blossom Special”. What entertainers they were for all the relatives. Carolyn loved to fly to Arizona, California, and Washington State to visit cousins. Road trips to Minneapolis to visit friends, go shopping, see the Ice Follies and Cinerama with Martha and Carolyn accompanied by Aunt Nora and cousins were a highlight for all. There were also road trips to visit relatives in Texas, Arizona, California and sightseeing in the Black Hills. She was proud of her accomplishment of learning to make bread from “itch” as she said (or scratch as it would be known to others). She had many friends but some that come to mind include Darlene Swan, David Pearson and Karen Bauer (Hays). People she came in contact with, especially the staff at Colonial Manor in Balaton, where she resided for 14 years and received the “Clown of the Year” award, and Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, where she was a resident almost a year, enjoyed her sense of humor. We heard from caregivers “we love Carolyn” and we all do. She liked to be teased by people she knew well and could hand it right back. We cannot express enough thanks to everyone for the care and friendship given to her at this time in her life. Carolyn’s music was rock ‘n roll especially Elvis who she listened to almost daily. His CD was softly playing when she passed and her cousin, Bev Gylling, was allowed to see her, express love from everyone, and pray the Lord’s Prayer shortly before the Angels came and got her on Thursday, April 9, 2020. She was 79 years, four months, and three days of age.
Carolyn is survived by many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; special uncles, Sanford and Eugene who resided with them; special friends, Darlene and David; and many other relatives and friends.
May God Bless & Go In Peace Until We Meet Again.
Please return as Carolyn’s service details will appear here as soon as they become available. Due to the current guidelines issued by the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC, a public memorial service will be held at a later date.
