Carolyn K. Holck

CAROLYN KAE HOLCK was born to Richard and Della (Lange) Hanson on August 1, 1932 at Slayton, Minnesota. She was baptized on September 4, 1932 at Norwegian Lutheran Church in Avoca, Minnesota, and confirmed in June 1947 at Ellsborough Lutheran Church of rural Balaton. Carolyn received her elementary education at rural schools by Avoca and Balaton, and graduated from Ruthton High School. She attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and received her education degree, after which she taught 3rd grade and elementary music in Sioux Falls.

On August 15, 1954 Carolyn married Marlo Holck at Aetna Lutheran Church of Ruthton. Their marriage was blessed with two children— Teresa “Terri” and Richard “Dick” —and 27 years of life together. Carolyn and Marlo farmed near Ruthton in Ellsborough Township on the farm that her father built. After Marlo’s death in 1981, Carolyn continued to live on the farm. In May of 2011, Carolyn became a resident of the Sunrise Manor in Tyler. Due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, Carolyn was lovingly taken to her heavenly home on Monday, October 4, 2019 at the age of 87 years, two months, and three days.

Carolyn began teaching piano when she was 12 and continued well into her 70s, instilling the love of music in hundreds of students. She served as organist and choir director at Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton, and as pianist at rural Ellsborough Lutheran Church, and was active in the women’s organization at Peace. Carolyn also played organ for many weddings and funerals; using her talent to praise her God. She started teaching Sunday School at Ellsborough following her confirmation, and continued teaching at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, and for 22 years at Peace Lutheran Church. Above all else, her family was her greatest joy. Carolyn’s ministry of music touched many and will always continue to do so.

Carolyn is lovingly remembered by her daughter Terri Lovre and her husband Mike of Tyler, Minnesota; grandchildren, Val Chufo and her husband Rob of Placentia, California, Dan Lovre and Carrie Glover living on the beloved family farm in rural Balaton, and Steve Lovre and his wife Angie of rural Tyler; 8 great-grandchildren, Chelsey Chufo, Ashley Lovre, Anthony Lovre, Lane Lovre, Shane Chufo, Jonah Lovre, Jenna Lovre, and Marlo Lovre; one great-great granddaughter, Sienna; brothers-in-law, Rondo Holck and Andy Johnson; many nieces and nephews; and many other loving relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marlo; her son, Richard; her sister, Mary Ann Johnson; her parents-in-law, Earle and Minnie; and her sister-in-law, Marie Holck.

Blessed be the memory of Carolyn.