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Karol Airhart, age 86, of Ulen, MN, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen.

Karol Joan (Swenson) Airhart was born on December 3, 1939, to Kermit and Julia (Hoium) Swenson at the Ada Hospital in Ada, MN. She spent her early years on a farm near Hitterdal before her family moved to a farmstead just east of Ulen. Karol graduated from Ulen High School with the class of 1957. She was active in choir and band, but singing was always her true love. Blessed with a beautiful voice, Karol sang many solos for school and church events, as well as weddings and funerals throughout the years. She was also active at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she participated in choir and Sunday school.

On June 15, 1957, Karol was united in marriage to Dean Airhart of Gary, MN, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. They made their home on the Airhart family farm just west of Gary, where they raised their two children, Susan and Jeff. Farm life kept Karol busy caring for livestock, tending a large garden, and canning and freezing vegetables each summer.

Karol and Dean were members of Gary Lutheran Church, where she served as Sunday school superintendent, Ladies Aid officer, junior choir director, and member of the adult choir. She was also a longtime 4-H leader for the Gary Go-Getters. Karol was a wonderful cook and baker, and Saturday mornings were bread-making days. The smell of fresh bread, buns, and cinnamon rolls regularly filled the Airhart home.

In 1977, Karol and Dean moved to their new home just south of the family farmstead and continued farming on a smaller scale. Karol had a small ceramic studio in her home and taught classes for several years. In 1994, they started Candlelight Limousine, which they operated together until mostly retiring from farming and limousine driving in 2004.

As Dean's health declined, the couple moved to an apartment in Ada in November 2014. Dean passed away on February 26, 2015. In the fall of 2017, Karol returned "home" to Ulen and rejoined Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she had been confirmed and married. She was happy to be back to her roots and enjoyed baking for church activities. Her pecan pies brought top dollar at church pie auctions, and her popular krumkake were a favorite for holidays and special occasions.

Karol is survived by her daughter, Susan Simon of Ulen; son, Jeff Airhart of East Grand Forks, MN; grandchildren: Sarah (Stefan) Meissner of Jena, Germany, Joe R. Hughey of Ulen, and Christy Raye of Wisconsin; great-granddaughters, Laila and Ella Meissner; sister-in-law and special friend, Audrey Airhart of Twin Valley, MN; nephew, Steven (Donna) Airhart of Boy River, MN; niece, Karen (Tom) Frederick of Zimmerman, MN; great nieces: Shannon Airhart, Rachel (Alex) Iverson, and Tara Airhart; and great-nephews, Tanner and Cody Frederick. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Dean; her parents; brother-in-law, Lyle Airhart; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 11:00am, with a visitation one hour prior, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. Burial will take place at the Ada City Cemetery in Ada, MN.