1943
Carol
2012
Carol Baland
December 24, 1943 — July 5, 2012
Carol Anita Baland, 68, passed away on Thursday, July 5, at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls, Minn.
Carol was born on December 24, 1943, a Christmas Eve gift to her parents, Helen and Greg Fettes in Sibley, Iowa. The sixth child in the family, she was named in celebration by her brother and four sisters, with help from their mother.
Carol loved life and met its joys and challenges with fierce determination. She grew up quickly, holding her own in a large family on an Iowa farm. Carol loved the country and the freedom of the outdoors. Gardening beside her mother was one of her fondest memories of early childhood.
From an early age Carol loved the structured learning found in the classroom. She excelled in school and was active in music, theater and dance. She graduated from St. Benedict College in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and shared her love of education with students throughout the years.
Carol married Tim Baland on June 17, 1968. They were blessed with three children, sons Timothy and Torger, and a daughter, Rachel.
In 1976, the family moved to Long Prairie, Minnesota, where Tim practiced law. Carol concentrated on caring for Rachel, who was unable to walk or talk. Carol testified before the Minnesota State Legislature on behalf of handicapped children, shining attention on the importance of the quality of their lives. Later in her life, Rachel resided at Home for Creative Living in Windom, Minnesota, where she received outstanding care. Carol enjoyed the many hours spent with her. Rachel passed away on July 9, 2008, and was greatly missed by Carol.
Carol served for a time on the School Board in Long Prairie, and also resumed her career as a high school mathematics teacher. Over the years, many students returned to thank Carol for instilling the belief that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to do. One student wrote, "You molded my mind into something of which I am very proud."
The world was Carol's classroom. She traveled extensively, making friends abroad with ease. She loved being on the water, and treasured outings on Blanche Lake in her Norwegian pram rowboat. Carol had the gift of music, and sang with the Catholic Church choirs in Long Prairie and at St. James.
Those around her loved Carol for her strength, her wit and her energy. Carol's strong belief in God and positive attitude fought back cancer for years against the odds. The arrival of grandchildren, Charlotte and Charles, increased her determination even more. Carol delighted in her children and grandchildren, nurturing them with faith, prayer, wise advice, song and laughter.
Carol's life and values will live forever in the hearts of her family and friends. Like a garden, our lives have been nurtured and are enriched for having known Carol. We are grateful for every heartbeat of time we had with her.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Tim; her sons, Timothy and Toger; her daughers-in-law Anne and Andrea; her grandchildren, Charlotte and Charles; her siblings: Susan Johnson, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Don Fettes, Mankato, Minn.; Rachel Wallace, Odebolt, Iowa; Ruth Lakers, Des Moines, Iowa; Rita Adams, Milford, Iowa; Bill Fettes, Estherville, Iowa; Dee Pyle, Ruthven, Iowa; Alan Fettes, Ashton, Iowa; and Loretta Callahan, Vancouver, Wash.; sister-in-law, Meg Gorman, Bloomington, Minn.; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends from across the globe.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rachel Helen Baland.
Memorials may be given to the St. James Catholic Church Choir or St. James Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Glende-Nilsen Funeral Home, Battle Lake, Minn. Rosary/Parish Prayers at 6:30 p.m., followed by sharing fond memories of Carol.
Service: 10 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2012, at St. James Catholic Church, Rural Underwood, Minn.
Clergy: Father Leroy Schik
Interment: St. James Catholic Cemetery
Arrangements by Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake
Carol was born on December 24, 1943, a Christmas Eve gift to her parents, Helen and Greg Fettes in Sibley, Iowa. The sixth child in the family, she was named in celebration by her brother and four sisters, with help from their mother.
Carol loved life and met its joys and challenges with fierce determination. She grew up quickly, holding her own in a large family on an Iowa farm. Carol loved the country and the freedom of the outdoors. Gardening beside her mother was one of her fondest memories of early childhood.
From an early age Carol loved the structured learning found in the classroom. She excelled in school and was active in music, theater and dance. She graduated from St. Benedict College in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and shared her love of education with students throughout the years.
Carol married Tim Baland on June 17, 1968. They were blessed with three children, sons Timothy and Torger, and a daughter, Rachel.
In 1976, the family moved to Long Prairie, Minnesota, where Tim practiced law. Carol concentrated on caring for Rachel, who was unable to walk or talk. Carol testified before the Minnesota State Legislature on behalf of handicapped children, shining attention on the importance of the quality of their lives. Later in her life, Rachel resided at Home for Creative Living in Windom, Minnesota, where she received outstanding care. Carol enjoyed the many hours spent with her. Rachel passed away on July 9, 2008, and was greatly missed by Carol.
Carol served for a time on the School Board in Long Prairie, and also resumed her career as a high school mathematics teacher. Over the years, many students returned to thank Carol for instilling the belief that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to do. One student wrote, "You molded my mind into something of which I am very proud."
The world was Carol's classroom. She traveled extensively, making friends abroad with ease. She loved being on the water, and treasured outings on Blanche Lake in her Norwegian pram rowboat. Carol had the gift of music, and sang with the Catholic Church choirs in Long Prairie and at St. James.
Those around her loved Carol for her strength, her wit and her energy. Carol's strong belief in God and positive attitude fought back cancer for years against the odds. The arrival of grandchildren, Charlotte and Charles, increased her determination even more. Carol delighted in her children and grandchildren, nurturing them with faith, prayer, wise advice, song and laughter.
Carol's life and values will live forever in the hearts of her family and friends. Like a garden, our lives have been nurtured and are enriched for having known Carol. We are grateful for every heartbeat of time we had with her.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Tim; her sons, Timothy and Toger; her daughers-in-law Anne and Andrea; her grandchildren, Charlotte and Charles; her siblings: Susan Johnson, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Don Fettes, Mankato, Minn.; Rachel Wallace, Odebolt, Iowa; Ruth Lakers, Des Moines, Iowa; Rita Adams, Milford, Iowa; Bill Fettes, Estherville, Iowa; Dee Pyle, Ruthven, Iowa; Alan Fettes, Ashton, Iowa; and Loretta Callahan, Vancouver, Wash.; sister-in-law, Meg Gorman, Bloomington, Minn.; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends from across the globe.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rachel Helen Baland.
Memorials may be given to the St. James Catholic Church Choir or St. James Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Glende-Nilsen Funeral Home, Battle Lake, Minn. Rosary/Parish Prayers at 6:30 p.m., followed by sharing fond memories of Carol.
Service: 10 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2012, at St. James Catholic Church, Rural Underwood, Minn.
Clergy: Father Leroy Schik
Interment: St. James Catholic Cemetery
Arrangements by Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake
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