CAROL MARIE WALHOVD

April 12, 1935 - September 11, 2018

Carol Marie Arlene Walhovd was born on 4/12/1935 in Mt. Carroll, Il in Carroll County, on Carroll Street, thus she was named Carol by her parent's John Lawrence and Marie Audrey Heisler. Before moving to Brownsville, MN in 1939, her family lived in Savannah, Il and Frontenac, MN. Carol went to Brownsville Elementary school and she graduated from Loretto Catholic High School, Caledonia, MN with the class of 1953. Carol went on from high school to become a cosmetologist at the La Crosse School of Cosmetology. Her first job was at the Hollywood Beauty Salon in La Crosse, WI. She married Ralph Arnold Palen from Caledonia, MN on July 31, 1954 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Brownsville, MN. Carol and Ralph resided in Caledonia, MN. They had two children Gary and Susan. Ralph was killed in a logging accident in 1957. On August 8, 1959 Carol married Robert Lester Walhovd of Birchwood, WI at St. John's Catholic Church in Birchwood, WI. They had two children Gerald and Pamela. Their family resided in Birchwood, WI and Richland Center, WI where she worked as a hairdresser. In 1962 Carol and Bob moved back to Brownsville, MN and she worked in La Crescent. Carol went back to school in 1965 to get her owner/operator license. Her husband and father remodeled a garage next to their home, into a hair salon. Carol named her new business “The Beauty Shoppe” and worked their for 38 yrs. while raising her family. The Beauty Shoppe sponsored the first women's softball team in Brownsville and she always had a unique entry in the Brownsville Days parade. After living in Brownsville most of her life and becoming close to the people, Carol decided to write a book called The Brownsville Story that covered 150 years of Brownsville history. With the help of Fern Heiller the book was published in 1976 and reprinted in 1999 with 8 additional pages added. Carol always said there was no place friendlier or more beautifully located than Brownsville. Carol also wrote the book entitled The John and Marie Heisler Family Tree. This book was a gift of love for her entire family, filled with stories and pictures of her extended family. She also was a contributing writer of the Big Apple News Column for the Caledonia Argus. These writings displayed her ability to be an author, historian and a storyteller. Carol was a very active member of St. Patrick's Parish where she taught CCD, founded the “Girl's Club”, was president of the Rosary Society, choir director, organist and was on several committees. Her catholic faith was a huge part of who Carol was and how she lived her life. Carol enjoyed traveling, she visited Alaska, Washington DC, Italy, Venice, Island of Capri, Canada, Hawaii and Mexico. Although her favorite traveling was when the destination brought her to visit relatives. Many trips to White Earth were made, Carol was extremely proud of her Native American (Ojibway) heritage. She was invited by various schools to teach and speak on wild ricing and passed on stories her mother and father had told her. Carol’s most memorable trip was to Rome, where she met Pope John Paul II and shook his hand. A chance of a lifetime for her. While raising her family, her door was always open to others. Several family and friends lived at her house for various lengths of time and were able to experience her generosity and care taking. Carol had a natural gift for serving others and showed that by taking care of her parents in their aging years. She also reached out to many other people in compassionate ways, like being a Semcac driver and driving people to doctor appointments. Carol was most known for her ability to have fun anywhere. Her wit and spontaneity made her fun to be around and her laughter was contagious. She loved learning new things like starting piano lessons in her fifties. She was an idea person, a problem solver and always thought out of the box. This often was the reason, that many people had a “Carol” story or stories to tell. Carol lived life to its fullest, every day was an adventure. Carol was very supportive and loving to her children, she also encouraged and challenged them. Later she included her grandchildren in this, by going great distances to see a performance or celebrate a birthday. When Great-Grandchildren came, Carol continued the circle of love to them as well. Carol is survived by her husband: Robert Walhovd, children: Susan(Palen) & Gary Reihl, Gerald Walhovd, Pamela Walhovd. Grandchildren: Seth Palen, Alesia (Adam) Hofschulte, Aaron (Christa) Reihl, Anthony Reihl, Natalie Stone, Anastasia Walhovd, Roslyn (Jordan) Walhovd. Great-Grandchildren: Aiden and Arya Hofschulte, Harrison Reihl and Baby Reihl due in January. Carol was preceded in death by: son Gary Palen, husband Ralph Palen, parents, John & Marie Heisler, brothers: Chuck Heisler, Gerald Heisler, Allison Heisler, sister: Nancy (Heisler) Warren. The family would like to thank Caledonia Care and Rehab, Caledonia, MN and Dr. Peter Franta for their loving care and service of Carol. A Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 11:30 am, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Brownsville. Fr. Greg Havel and Fr. Paul Breza will concelebrate. A rosary will be from 8:30 am - 9:00 am, Visitation will be from 9:00 am-11:15 am. at the church. Luncheon will follow immediately after mass. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Brownsville