Carol Mensen

Carol Louise Mensen was born May 26, 1960 to Arlyn and Garnet (Jensen) Petersen in Tyler, Minnesota. She was baptized at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church and later confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. She grew up on the farm and attended Lake Benton Public School, graduating in 1978. She continued her education at Stewart's School of Cosmetology in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On June 27, 1981 Carol married Gregory Mensen at Grace Lutheran Church. Their union was blessed with four daughters and 32 years of life together. Except for three years at the end of the 1980s when they lived in Marshall, Minnesota, the couple made their home in Lake Benton. Carol held various jobs, working at Lakeview Beauty Shop and The Homestead Place, as well as being a self-employed Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and interior decorator. Then in 2004, she opened Carol's Salon. But most of all she enjoyed being a mom and caring for their home. In 2012 Carol was diagnosed with cancer. After a courageous battle she passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Monday, November 18, 2013 at the age of 53.

Carol was a member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton, where she was active in the congregation's life, serving on the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) and as a religious education teacher. She was very involved as a board member and volunteer for the Lake Benton Opera House where she did hair and makeup for productions, cleaned, ushered, and 'cast control.' She enjoyed flower gardening, garage sales, decorating, and attending the 'millions' of her children's activities at school. She especially enjoyed time spent with family and grandchildren, and she loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Carol is lovingly remembered by her husband, Greg; her daughters, Laura (and Johnathan) Rigge of Belview, Minnesota, Rachael (and Matthew) Krueger of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Katie (and Alex) Bakker of Russell, Minnesota, and Courtney Mensen of Lake Benton, Minnesota; 4 granddaughters, Piper, Poppy, Brynn, and Mia; her parents, Arlyn and Garnet Petersen of Lake Benton, Minnesota; brother, Terry (and Joann) Petersen of New Ulm, Minnesota; sister, Susan (and Gary) Haupert of Pipestone, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Karen Petersen of Lake Benton, Minnesota; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by two unborn grandchildren; a brother, Randy Petersen; and her grandparents, Knute and Carrie Petersen, and Erling and Louise Jensen.