Carole Marie Engelstad, 82, Mentor, MN, died on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at the Riverview Health Care Center, Crookston, MN.

She was born on March 20, 1932, in Starkweather, ND, to Christ and Marie (Svidalsnes) Berg. Her parents raised a tight-knit Norwegian family, which transcended down into Carole's children and grandchildren. She attended school in Starkweather until 10th grade, at which time she and her family then moved to Moorhead, MN. She graduated from Moorhead High School in 1949 and from Concordia College in 1953 with majors in Business Education and Physical Education, with a minor in Psychology. Her first teaching assignments were at the McIntosh and Fargo High Schools where she taught Business, Physical Education, and Drivers Training.


On June 18, 1956, Carole was united in marriage to Clayton Engelstad at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. They lived and farmed northwest of Fertile. She, also, taught Physical Education and coached a trampoline team at Fertile-Beltrami High School for a few years. Carole's following years were spent raising her children until 1971, when she returned to teaching at the Fertile-Beltrami High School, teaching Business Education and Psychology classes. Carole developed and supervised the FB Ski Club, introducing many local teens to the sport. In 1973, Carole was nominated as the "Teacher Of The Year" and was one of ten Teachers who were recognized by the Governor of Minnesota. During her teaching years, Carole touched many students' lives with her belief that every young person can excel in life. In 1981, Carole left teaching and pursued employment at various jobs, including office manager at the Area Special Education Cooperative, secretary at Polk County DAC, and parish secretary of the Little Norway/Faith Parish.

In the early 1980's, she and Clayton assisted with the Teens Encounter Christ movement in our region as well as in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Throughout the years, she was active in the League of Women's Voters, Fertile Saddle Club, Christian Women's Club, Fertile-Beltrami School Board, and Quilt Club. In 1981, she and Clayton hosted a foreign exchange student, David Duncan, from Australia. She was very active in Little Norway Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, Bible Study and Luther League leader, a circle and council member, and a WELCA officer. Carole's Little Norway Church family was very special to her. Carole continued to spread her strong faith in Christ wherever she went.

In her spare time, Carole was a busy quilt maker—she created hundreds of beautiful and intricate quilts that she gave to her family and friends. Working with her family on the farm, in both her childhood and adult life, held many fond memories for Carole and her family. Family and friends gathered with Carole and Clayton whether it was for work on the farm or enjoyment at the lake. Carole's grandchildren have many fond memories at the lake from fishing, swimming, catching frogs, and eating a smorgasbord of food. Carole taught her children and grandchildren to constantly strive to do better and become the best at whatever life may bring them. May God bless the memory of Carole Engelstad.

Carole is survived by her husband, Clayton, Mentor, MN; children: Craig (Cindy), Fertile, MN; Marie (David) Johnstad, Beltrami, MN; Jean (Scott) Tollefson, Fertile, MN; Paul (Machelle), Fertile, MN; and Eric (Tracee), Fertile, MN; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandson; brothers and sisters: Bjarne (Hazel) Berg, West Fargo, ND; Norma Vanderpan, Brookings, SD; Lois (David) Anderson, Mayville, ND; and Ann (Ed) Ellenson, Henning, MN; and several nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers: Monrad Berg, Haldor Berg, and Clarence "Chris" Berg.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 11:00 AM in the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 26, 2015, at the Little Norway Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, MN, from 6-8:00 PM with a prayer service at 8:00 PM.

Burial will be in the Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, MN.