Carolyn M Schlagel

Carolyn M. Schlagel, 88, of Willmar, died Wednesday, October 30th at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. Her funeral service will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 2nd at Bethesda Grand Chapel in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to her service. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery in Ortonville. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Carolyn Mary Schlagel was a wonderful, kind, and caring person who treasured her family and friends. Carolyn was born on November 20, 1930 to parents Louis and Frances (Robertson) Lawson in Maple Plain, MN. Her family moved several times while she was growing up, moving from Maple Plain to Willmar, then St. Paul, and finally Atwater, MN. She graduated from Atwater High School in 1948.

Carolyn enrolled at St. Cloud State University, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education and Physical Education. She began her career in public education at Chaska High School in Chaska, MN.

On June 4, 1955, Carolyn was united in marriage to George Schlagel in Atwater, MN. They enjoyed more than forty-eight years of marriage together. Carolyn met George when they were both graduate students at the Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, CO. During the early years of their marriage, they spent their summers in Greeley, with Carolyn earning a Master of Arts Degree.

Carolyn and George established their home in Ortonville, MN where they raised their two boys, David and John. Carolyn taught business classes at Ortonville High School for twenty years. She was a leader in developing a model office class and was always a favorite teacher among her students.

Carolyn was active in numerous community organizations including the Ortonville Council of Churches, Civic Club, Investment Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and Study Club. She was also involved in four different bridge clubs and a duplicate bridge league. Carolyn was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Council and on various committees.  She was a frequent Bible study leader, on one occasion even delivering a sermon to the whole congregation. Carolyn was also a huge Twins fan.  About the only thing that would cause her to miss watching or listening to a Twins game was an opportunity to play bridge.

After George passed away in 2003, Carolyn relocated to Willmar, MN where she became a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Carolyn spent her last years at Bethesda Grand in Willmar where she always appreciated the wonderful care given to her by the staff. She passed away on October 30, 2019, having reached the age of 88 years. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Frances Lawson, her brother, Thomas Louis Ethan Lawson, who died at birth, and her husband George. She is survived by her sons David (Rebecca) Schlagel and John Schlagel; six grandchildren: Sarah (Damian) Petrykevych, Mark (Taylor) Schlagel, Hannah (Ryan) Smith, Paul (Talia) Schlagel, Esther Schlagel (soon to be married to Brandon Rygh), and Joanna Schlagel; and one great-grandson: Maksim Petrykevych.

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