Mildred Carroll

Mildred Theresa Carroll was born March 2, 1912 to Thorvald and Margit (Opaker) Boe in Minneapolis, MN.
The family lived on the 2200 block of Oakland Avenue in South Minneapolis until they moved to Perth, North Dakota in the early 1920s. Here, Millie grew up attending schools and graduating from Perth High School in 1931. She attended the Trinity Lutheran Church in Perth and was confirmed on July 25, 1926.
Returning to Minneapolis, she attended Business College and worked at several companies including the Kenesaw Hotel, Yellow Cab Co., and Abbott Hospital.
On September 18, 1948 she was united in marriage to Chet Carroll in Minneapolis, where they made their home. In 1954, a year after her only son
Mike was born; they purchased a home in North Minneapolis, where Millie lived until she moved to Rush City, MN. in 1990.
A homemaker until the early 1960ís, Millie was involved in selling Rydell Cosmetics and Avon products. It was about this time that she started working for Swenko Refrigeration at 2715 Washington Ave. No. in Minneapolis where she was secretary/bookkeeper/salesperson for over 20 years. Swenko was owned by Bill Koski & Emil Swenson i who invented, designed and manufactured medical equipment.
An important part of her life was her church, Morrison Baptist Church, which she attended for 30 years. She taught Sunday school, youth and adult classes, was a deaconess and a financial secretary for many years. She was actively involved in many other church activities as well. Living only half a block from the church, she was seen walking to church every Wednesday evening and Sunday mornings and evenings. She was instrumental in several of her friends and neighbors attending Morrison Church.
During these years, Millie was also involved in the catering business, working weekends catering for weddings and parties. She could usually be found making the fruit baskets and cutting the wedding cake. Of Norwegian descent, Millie loved to cook and entertain and was most definitely a ìfood pusherî. If you left her house hungry it was your own fault!!
Millie was a very compassionate and loving person which was evidenced in her sacrificial giving and volunteerism. After Chetís death at North Memorial Hospice in 1981, Millie started volunteering there and at in-home settings. She had a real gift in dealing with the dying and did not hesitate to make herself available to those in need. She continued to volunteer after moving to Rush City, which meant driving 100 miles a day in her huge Buick LeSabre!
A very social person, Millie spent all of her life enjoying people. She loved telling stories and jokes and enjoyed life to the fullest. Her non-judgmental attitude and acceptance of others attracted many groups of people to her. Even today, her many friends are from a wide range of age groups and backgrounds. Lately, her involvement in the Rush City Senior Dining Program has been very important to her! She thoroughly enjoyed seeing and cajoling her many friends at the dining site! It was the highlight of her day!!
Her grandchildren, Tom, Erin, and Britta held a special place in her heart. During their younger years she enjoyed having them come and stay with her in Minneapolis. She loved playing games and cards and reading to them. She felt compelled to impart her grandmotherly wisdom to them, but more importantly, she enjoyed having fun with them.
Her life was not any easy one, especially in the later years, but her faith and self-reliant nature carried her through life. She refused to give in to adversity and had a feisty streak, which adequately embarrassed her family at times but also kept her young at heart!
Millie Carroll is survived by her son Mike Carroll (Myra Michog) of Rush City, grandson Tom Carroll-Hamline University in St. Paul, granddaughters Erin Carroll (Jay Barnes) of Rush City & Britta Carroll ñ University of Minnesota- Duluth. Millie is also survived by brothers Ted (Rita) Boe of Devils Lake, North Dakota, Doug (Virginia) Boe of Roslyn, Washington, Sisters Lorraine (Junior) Hatfield of Seattle, Wash., June Towner of Auburn, Washington, many nieces & nephews, Brother-in-law; Walter Johnson of Inver Grove Heights. Millie was preceded in death by her parents Thorvald & Margit (Opaker) Boe, Husband Chester P. Carroll, Sisters & brothersñin-law Helen & Clarence Guderjohn, Margaret & Darwin Karr, Sisters-in-laws; Gertrude Johnson, Mary Olson and Genevieve Carroll.
Rev. Laurie OíShea officiated at a funeral celebration Saturday May 3, 2003 at the First Lutheran Church of Rush City with music provided by the Hamline University Acapella Singers and organist Dianne Kirchberg. Casket Bearers included her two nephews Terry Guderjohn & Mike Karr, Jay Barnes, David Nelson, Darrel Swenson, Aaron Engler & Keith Shatava with the interment in the First Lutheran Cemetery of Rush City. Arrangements by the Funeral & Cremation Service of Rush City-Olson Chapel.

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