Carol K. Pesola

ANOKA, Minn. - Carol K. Pesola, 87, of Anoka, Minnesota, passed away on March 12, 2024. She was born on Sept. 7, 1936.

Carol grew up in Erwin Township in northern Michigan and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, Michigan, in 1954. Shortly after her graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Ray, and they were married 64 years. Ray and Carol lived in New Brighton for most of the first 30 years. When they were ready for a townhouse, they moved to Anoka and attended Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.

Carol founded the preschool, King's Kids in New Brighton at Atonement Lutheran Church. She taught there for many years. She went on to earn her master's degree at the University of Minnesota. Carol taught preschool and parent education classes within the Anoka School District.

Ray and Carol enjoyed spending summertime at their cabin in Aitkin and they loved to travel to southern Texas during the winter months.

Carol was very musical. She played the baritone in high school. She loved to sing and play guitar, the piano, the organ and the harpsichord. She sang in many different choirs, including the North Suburban Chorale and New Brighton Tunes. We loved Carol's enthusiasm for life. She was very social and made friends quickly wherever she went. She enjoyed watercolor painting, sewing, gardening and baking with her grandchildren.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Ray.

She is survived by her children, Scott, Sherry (John) DeOtis and Troy (Lori); 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; brothers, Carl and Roy (Marge); as well as nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 22, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 700 Western St., in Anoka. Visitation will begin one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Anoka.

Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home of Anoka is helping the family with arrangements.