Carol was born December 16, 1934 in Harmony to Edward and Evelyn (Christianson) Kiehne. She attended Vail Country School and graduated from Canton High School. She lived in Rochester for a short time where she worked at Woolworths. On October 10, 1954 she married Walter Ward, Jr. at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony. They lived in Burr Oak, Iowa, Newburg, Minnesota, and Mabel, Minnesota before moving to the Canton area. She worked at Control Data in Spring Grove, HECO in Harmony, the Sunshine Place in Harmony, and Center and Main Antique Shop in Harmony.
Carol was a member of Greenfield Lutheran Church and WELCA, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed going to the Tuesday and Friday coffee groups at the Harmony House and the Wednesday Burr Oak breakfast group, collecting antiques, working on church quilts, and her doll collection.
Carol passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 at Mayo Health Systems – St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester at the age of 81.
Carol is survived by her husband Walter of Harmony; four children Gerri Ehler of Harmony, Terri (Tom) Peterson of Burnsville, Gary (Jackie) Ward of Canton, and Kim (Kevin) Knutson of Burnsville; seven grandchildren Craig (Michele) Ehler, Eric (Candace) Ehler, Devin (Katelin)Ehler, Joshua (Steph Keller) Peterson, Cole Knutson, Hannah Knutson, and Walker Ward; four great grandchildren Tristan, Beatrice, Henry, and Evelyn Ehler; and two sisters Nelda Bjertnessand Marilyn Norton (Frank Ryan both of Harmony. She is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Evelyn Kiehne, a daughter Lori Ann Ward, a brother Luverne Kiehne, a sister DianeTorgerson, and dear aunt and uncle Percy and Esther Steffensrud.
Funeral services will be 11AM Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony with Rev. Rolf Svanoe and James Smedsrud co-officiating. Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 Friday at the Greenfield Lutheran Church and again one hour prior to services at the church.
