Caroll Erdman

Obituary of Caroll June Erdman

Caroll June Erdman (Gustrud) was born on June 23, 1930 in Minot, ND and died October 3, 2022 in Roseville, MN. She is preceded in death by parents, Oscar and Vanita (Hansen) Gustrud; husband, Lowell B. Erdman; sons-in-law, Duane Heacock, Joel Stangeland, and Gary Arbuckle; and great-granddaughter, Gracelyn Jahnke.

She is survived by her brother, Dennis (Jaoe) Gustrud; sister, Beverly (Roger) Valentine; sister-in-law, Laurene (Dirk) Mikkelson; children, Mariann Stangeland, Betty (Mike) Schultz, David Erdman, John (Carrie) Erdman, Paul Erdman, Nancy (Jim) Schwartz and Leann (Drew) Bain; grandchildren, Barb (Scott) Sammons, Joshua Schultz, Holly Schultz, Samuel (Laura) Schultz, Rachel Schultz, Micah Schultz, John Erdman Jr, Nicole (Nick) Marah, Michael (MaryAnn) Schwartz, Matthew (Kari) Schwartz, Melissa (Kalen) Jahnke, Anna (Peter) Deutsch, Taylor Soghigian and Hannah Bain; great-grandchildren, Amber (Molly), Dorian, Addison (Trevor), Ava, Claire, Wolfgang, Atticus, Amber, Jake, Emily, Dakota, Mallory, Jace, Tylor, Thaoden, Daniel, Jacob, Ellie, Bennett, Ruth, Levi, Abigail, Josiah and Amber; great-great-grandchildren, Rory, Haevyn, Evan, Layla, and Halston; nieces and nephews, Wendy (Paul) Botsford, Kristen Valentine, Daniel (Tracey) Valentine, Scott Mikkelson, Kristen (Brian) Deuber, and Kari (Don) Stinespring, and Andrew Gustrud; and several great-nieces and nephews as well.

Born in Minot, ND, at the age of two she moved with her parents to Spicer, MN. Caroll spent her growing years in Spicer where she loved to swim in the clear water of Green Lake. Girl Scouts, Green Lake Bible Camp and walking in the woods with her dad learning the names of plants and birds brought her joy in her young life. Her love for birds never waned and the bird id book was never far from hand. She had a lovely singing voice and was often asked to sing for special occasions. At 14 she began working in the Spicer post office. Her dream of being an interpreter for the United Nations was put aside when she married Lowell and moved to St Paul. There they began their family eventually moving to North St Paul/Maplewood area. Carolls life revolved around serving her family and others. Her faith in Jesus Christ motivated her to be the hands and feet of Jesus behind the scenes in service to the needy. She was never one to draw attention to herself, but rather fulfilled what she saw as her duty quietly, as was common for those who lived through the Great Depression. Sharing and caring for others is how they made it through.

Caroll loved to sew clothing for her girls and gave away countless quilts to friends, family and strangers. Her quilts were not show pieces but rather the product of love and an effort to waste nothing. She taught Lowell how to sew and in his later years the two made many jean quilts together. She was prolific in her propagation of African Violets and she shared them far and wide. Caroll was an excellent cook and baker. No one could make a creamier rice pudding and the family will miss her Orange Oatmeal bars, Lemon bars, Cherry bars and oodles of delicious Christmas cookies. Muffins were her specialty.

In her professional life Caroll spent 25 years as a proofreader for West Publishing Company, now known as Thomsen Reuters, at times proofing languages she did not know. Her keen mind served her well. At retirement she was determined not to just “sit around” so she and Lowell spent winters volunteering at JAARS, the language training facility for missionaries working with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Waxhaw, NC and summers “up north” at the family cabin on Eagles Nest Lake 4. Lowell and Caroll eventually purchased a home in Ely and Caroll spent time working for Irresistable Ink where she could use her beautiful penmanship to encourage others. They moved back to the Twin Cities where they could be closer to family. She spent her later years reading and watching the birds and critters she loved so much. She never lost her keen mind or sense of humor. She died peacefully at home. We have no doubt she was greeted with “Well done good and faithful servant.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in her honor to the:

Union Gospel Mission 

2nd Harvest Heartland 

New Day Pregnancy & Family Resource Center 

Samaritans Purse 

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Wednesday October 12th at Sandberg Funeral Home, 2593 E. 7th Ave, North St Paul. Funeral service at 11:00 Thursday October 13th at First Evangelical Free Church, 2696 Hazelwood St, Maplewood, MN with visitation one hour prior. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. You can watch the service live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=332vm4NALFU

In her last days she surprised us by demonstrating she had the skill of a ninja. If you are curious about this, just ask John, Mariann or Leann.

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Wednesday
12
October

Visitation

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Sandberg Funeral Home
2593 7th Ave E.
North St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
6517772600
Thursday
13
October

Visitation

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Thursday, October 13, 2022
First Evangelical Free Church
2696 Hazelwood St
Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
Thursday
13
October

Funeral Service

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday, October 13, 2022
First Evangelical Free Church
2696 Hazelwood St
Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
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