Carol Mesker, age 72, of Ulen, MN, passed away peacefully on February 13th, 2018, in her home surrounded by loved ones after a brief battle with cancer. Carol Marie was born to Albert and Alma(Anderson) Kellen in Madison, MN on April 11, 1945 as the twelfth of 14 children. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith, and was raised with her siblings in Beardsley, MN. Upon graduation from high school, she was united in marriage to Richard Rowland on July 10, 1965 in Beardsley, MN. The couple moved to Wheaton, MN soon after. To this union, five children were born: Julie, Debbie, Penny, Kipper, and Nikki. Carol and Richard lived in Moorhead for a brief time before moving to Ulen, MN in the early 70's where they purchased and ran the grocery store. In 1977, Carol started her decades long career as a CNA at the Viking Manor Nursing Home and Assisted Living in Ulen, MN where she lovingly cared for residents and made many lifelong friendships. On January 28, 1989, Carol was united in marriage to Orell Mesker in Twin Valley, MN until his death in 2013. Her love for the community, passion for cooking, and willingness to always share are some of the most cherished characteristics of Carol. She enjoyed serving many years on the potato salad committee for the Turkey BBQ celebration but will be remembered most for her caramel rolls and her always popular sauerkraut. Carol would always say you are welcome to some of her sauerkraut, but you needed to bring back her jar! Aside from her love of community and cooking, Carol enjoyed traveling with friends and family on many trips to Branson, Hostfest, Mystery Tours, We Fest, and lots of time at the lake. She had a soft spot in her heart for frogs that she articulated through her extravagant collection of knick-knacks. Carol loved spending time outdoors gardening and tending to her flowers, and could often be found cruising around Ulen on her golf cart visiting friends and family. Carol is survived by her 5 children, Julie (Roy) Chounard of Ulen, MN, Debbie Helgedalen (Darin Erickson) of Ulen, MN, Penny (Dave) Winter of Mahnomen, MN, Kipper (Rhona) Rowland of Moorhead, MN, Nikki (Jeremy) Begg of Ulen, MN; 9 Grandchildren, Micheal and Casey Chounard, Logan and Kyle Helgedalen, Jace and Katelyn Bueng, Jordan and Noah Rowland, Brody Begg; 3 Step-Grandchildren, Chris, Sarah, and Leo Winter; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Jason Habedank, Cain Bueng, and Athena Winter. She is also survived by her siblings, Beverly Sykora, Paul (Mary Ann) Kellen, Arlene Bigalke, Delores Thompson, and Donny (Janet) Kellen; sisters-in-law, Velma Kellen, Carol Jean Kellen, and Jane (Francis) Gilles; brothers-in-law David Montplaisir Sr., Jim Homan, and Jim (Rita) Rowland; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Carol is preceded in death by parents Albert and Alma(Anderson) Kellen; husbands, Richard Rowland and Orell Mesker; Grandson, Brady Blomseth; son-in-law, Craig Helgedalen; and siblings, Lavern, Arnold, Gordon, Albert Jr., Gerald, Shirley, Leroy, and Doris. Carol will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to give special thanks for the great care that was given to her by the staff of the Roger Maris Cancer Center; Hospice of the Red River Valley; her sister, Arlene Bigalke; and Tina Mortenson. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 10:30 AM in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. A time of gathering will take place on Friday, February 16, from 5:00-7:00 pm, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm, at the church. Inurnment will be at the St. Williams Catholic Cemetery in Twin Valley on a future date.