Carol Annette Espeseth was born November 22, 1921 in Erskine, Minnesota to Albert and Clara (Bakken) Espeseth. She grew up in the Winger area and graduated from McIntosh High School. Following her schooling, Carol was employed at a newspaper in Arizona from 1947 until 1949. She returned back to the area, where she worked at Espeseth Hardware and later Farmers State Bank, both in Winger.
On November 30, 1963, Carol was united in marriage to Orville Messelt in Winger. The couple made their home in Winger and Orville continued to work in the banking industry until his retirement in 1981. Orville died in May of 2006 and Carol remained in their home in Winger. She died Friday, September 11, 2009 at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, North Dakota, at the age of 82.

A woman of strong faith, Carol was very active with the activities of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Winger. She was a member of the choir, the ladies aid, and we can't overlook the 40+ years she served as the church secretary. In her younger years, she and Orville enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling and the special love they shared for their many cats. Carol was a beautiful seamstress, to the point of perfection and was also part of the WELCA Quilters. She volunteered at the Pioneer Memorial Home in Erskine in the beauty shop for many years.

Carol is survived by two sisters-in-law, Joyann Espeseth of Winger and Florence Espeseth of Moorhead, MN; and eight nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Orville, she was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Orville, Arnold and Kenneth Espeseth.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Winger, Minnesota, visitation was one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at the church.

Interment was at Calvary Lutheran Cemetery, Winger, Minnesota.