Carol Courtney

Carol Courtney, age 86, of Tyler, Minnesota, formerly of Ruthton, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the Avera Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler.  Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Lake Benton Area Community and Event Center in Lake Benton, Minnesota with visitation taking place one hour prior from 12 NOON to 1:00 PM.  Burial will take place in the Holland Cemetery, Holland, Minnesota at a later date.

Carol Neva Courtney was born to Elmer and Alvina (Weinkauf) Thomas on October 4, 1937, in Fountain Prairie Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota where she was raised and attended school through the eighth grade. She continued her education at Pipestone High School and graduated in 1955.

On August 25, 1957, she was united in marriage to Ralph Kenneth Courtney at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone where Carol worked for the telephone company. In 1958, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota.  They moved to Lake Wilson, Minnesota in 1960; and Carol became employed for Campbell Soup Company.  In 1964 they moved to Ruthton, Minnesota where she continued to work at Campbell Soup.  In 1973, Carol became employed by Swift in Marshall, Minnesota where she worked until 1998. After that, she worked at Ellison Meats and the County Market. In 1999, she and her husband moved into Tyler, Minnesota; and in 2001, Carol began working for the Central Minnesota Senior Care. In June of 2022, she became a resident of Sunrise Manor in Tyler, Minnesota; when her health began to decline.

Carol was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Lake Benton Congregation. Carol was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on December 21, 1961, and enjoyed sharing her Bible-based hopes for the future with as many as possible. She was a beautiful example of someone who cared for others and brought great comfort and support to those in her congregation as well as the community.

She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, working in her flower garden, spending time with family and friends, baking and cooking; but her fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren were her biggest joy. 

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Ralph Courtney of Tyler, Minnesota; nine children, Daniel of Marshall, Minnesota, Cheryl Dziobecki of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kevin of Worthington, Minnesota, Craig of Marshall, Minnesota, Michael (Dotte) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Bradley of Worthington, Minnesota, Douglas of Worthington, Minnesota, Lowell of Marshall, and Justine (Michael) Heath of Tyler, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her daughters, Patricia and Lori; her parents; fifteen siblings, James, Ellen, Edwin, Mildred, Sharla, Richard, Kenneth, Francis, David, Alvin, Elener, Faye, Ardis, Evelyn, an infant brother; and sister-in-law, Joyce Miller.