Carol Nangle

CAROL FAY NANGLE was born to Thomas and Florence (Jensen) Thompson on July 20, 1936, on the family farm north of Colman, SD. She was the fourth child of eight; her oldest sister was 10 years older than her, and her youngest sister was 10 years younger than her. Carol attended grades 1-8 at #55 Allen Country School, and as valedictorian of Moody County Schools she gave the 8th grade graduation speech at Spafford School in Flandreau, SD. In 1954, she graduated valedictorian from Colman High School. Then, in 1958, Carol graduated from General Beadle State Teachers College in Madison, SD with a BS in Education with majors of English and Elementary Education and minors in Journalism, Social Studies, Psychology, and Library. She was baptized in 1957 in the Methodist-Episcopal Church in Colman. On July 16, 1960, Carol was married to Robert B. Nangle at the Methodist-Episcopal Church. Following their marriage, they resided in Howard, SD, for one year, then Edgerton, MN, and later Vermillion, SD. In 1965, they moved to Pipestone, MN. They were blessed with two children, JoLynn and Timothy. In 2013, at the age of 77, Carol earned her Master's Degree in ESL from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bob preceded her in death on November 9, 2016. After his death, she continued to teach and live in their home in Pipestone until April 20, 2021, when she moved to Bethany Meadows in Brandon, SD. On Thursday, August 12, 2021, she entered the Pipestone County Hospice House where she died on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at the age of 85 years and 25 days.

Carol was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone where she was on the Board of Trustees, youth group leader, circle member and UMW member. She also taught Sunday school, Bible school, and confirmation. She loved teaching and learning and taught ESL night classes until the COVID-19 pandemic. Carol enjoyed traveling, touring all 50 United States, 23 countries and three continents. She had a quick wit— “Only boring people are bored”— a generous heart always ready to help others, and was known as the “favorite” aunt. Carol enjoyed time with family and friends.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, JoLynn Nangle of Pipestone, MN; four siblings, Merlin Thompson of Little River, Texas, Glenda (Blayne) Woodward of Franklin, TN, Twila (Russ) Spader of Marysville, WA and Janice Polsfuss of Becker, MN; 17 “favorite” nieces and nephews; 25 “favorite” great nieces and nephews and 22 “favorite” great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Nangle; son, Tim Nangle; her parents, Thomas and Florence Thompson; and sisters, Orlee (Maynard) Petersen, Lorene (Dahl) Hougland and Hazel (Gene) Christensen; sister-in-law, Shirley Thompson; brother-in-law, Terry Polsfuss.

Always a proponent of education, Carol’s brain has been donated to the Harvard Brain Tissue Research Center for the purpose of a familial study on Alzheimer’s Research. Carol would be proud to know she is continuing to help others learn.

Teaching

1958-1965 Jasper, MN, Howard, SD, Jefferson, SD - High School English and Librarian

1965-1980 Substitute teaching in Southwest MN Schools

1980-1986 Adult Basic Education Director and Instructor, Pipestone, MN

1980-2001 District ESL Coordinator/Teacher at Pipestone-Jasper District

1984-2001 Youth Culture Club Advisor, Pipestone-Jasper District

2002-2011 ESL Coordinator/Teacher at Brandon Valley Schools, SD

2014-2020 Adult ESL night classes at Christian Reformed Church, Pipestone, MN


Organizations/Awards

MEA, SDEA, NEA, SWAFA, MinneTesol

2002 DSU Outstanding Alumni

Who’s Who Among Teachers (nominated by student)

1980-1987 Sponsored SE Asian Refugees through UMCOR


Memorials will be directed to:

UMCOR - Global Migration

Mayo Clinic Department of Development (Alzheimer's Research)

Smile Train