Carole Mary Anderson

Carole Mary Anderson, age 88, of Benson, Minnesota, died Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Carole Mary Anderson was born March 26, 1936, near DeGraff, in Dublin Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the daughter of Clay and Agnes (Chepa) Smith. She was baptized and confirmed at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson, Minnesota.

Carole grew up in the DeGraff – Murdock area, attending elementary school in Murdock. The family moved to Benson where Carole went to Benson High School, graduating with the class of 1954.

October 22, 1955, Carole married Riley Anderson at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ. Reverend John Longley officiated the service. Together they shared 45 years of marriage and raised two daughters, Rochelle and Pam.

Carole worked at a variety of jobs. She was employed at the ASC office, Fingerhut, Del Monico Café in Benson, and was a kitchen aid at Northside Elementary School in Benson until her retirement in 1996. She was an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Benson.

Caroled loved playing cards, taking trips to the casino, working on crossword puzzles and word search puzzles, playing bingo, having coffee with friends, and was a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings football team.

Carole was a faithful servant to God, devoted mother, loving grandmother, and great-grandmother. The Lord blessed her with an amazing life. We will always cherish and never forget the gift she was to us. Her family would like to thank all the staff at Bethesda Grand who assisted in her care over the time she spent there, as well as Hospice, who helped in her end-of-life care.

Mom, we love you and will miss you but rejoice that you are with loved ones who have been waiting for you. There is a new star in the heavens tonight.

Carole is survived by her children: Rochelle Peterson of Benson, MN and Pam (Chuck) Fennell of Lynd, MN; three grandchildren: Chad (Teri) Fennell, Nick (Amber) Fennell, and Kelly Dahl; seven great-grandchildren: Chloe Fennell, Piper Fennell, Allison Fennell, Isaac Fennell, Brylee Dahl, Brielle Dahl, and Briggs Dahl. Preceding Carole in death were her husband Riley Anderson, son-in-law David Peterson, parents Clay and Agnes Smith, brothers: Kenneth, Ray, Lester, Guerdon, Forrest, Clair, Doug, and sister Lorraine Skarsten.

Blessed be the memory of Carole Anderson.