"Dear Spencer and Becky, I am so sorry to see that Carol has passed. With not getting a daily paper anymore I just saw the obituary when I opened my email this afternoon. So I am sorry I can not give my condolences personally. You both have my deepest sympathies . She will be missed. The best to you both and your families. Chris Splittstoesser"
In loving memory of
Carol Ann Stevens
December 22, 1940 - June 16, 2021
Carol Ann Stevens, 80, of Rochester, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 16th, 2021 at Cottagewood Senior Living Community.
Carol was born on December 22, 1940 to Charles and Burta (Johnson) Ritter in Austin, Minnesota. She spent her childhood there and graduated from Austin Senior High in 1958.
On February 26, 1969, she married the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Stevens. They bought a house in Rochester and had two children, Spencer and Rebekah. Carol loved her family dearly and lost a bit of her soul when Jerry died in 1998.
Carol worked at the Depot House, Libby's and Kmart. When the kids entered elementary school, Carol started selling Avon so she could be home after school for the kids. However, her favorite job was at School Aged Child Care. She loved the children, but her aptitude for organization and saving money, led her to helping establish and coordinate the snack and activity program for SACC. She met many good friends while working in the Northrop building.
In her spare time, Carol enjoyed doing many things, but her favorite thing to do was dance with Jerry. They had a special presence on the dance floor. In the winters and on holidays, she loved to cook, bake, and decorate. In the summer, she enjoyed sitting in the porch swing watching a thunderstorm roll through or hitting garage sales. At night her favorite place to be was cuddled up with her beloved cats reading a book or watching a murder mystery on tv. On Sundays, you would find her at Bethel church singing, as she loved to do. However, all of those things would be put aside if she could watch one of the kids or grandkids perform in any activity.
Carol is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, her parents, Charles and Burta (Johnson) Ritter; her mother and father in-law, Nordean and Lena (Jorgenson) Stevens; and brothers/sisters in-law, Ardean and Frances Stevens and Menford and Marion Stevens.
She is survived by a son, Spencer (Michelle) Stevens; daughter, Rebekah (Jeff) Shoemaker; grandchildren, Zachary, Dakota, and Connor Stevens and Shea and Bailey Shoemaker; a sister, Valeria Maloney, and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to all the staff at Cottage 4 and St. Croix Hospice for the extraordinary caring they provided. Memorials can be donated to Safe Haven Pet Rescue or Alzheimer's Association.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Pl NW, Rochester, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Stevens family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
" There is so much I can say about your mom. I am sure u all know everything carol did was above and beyond., and she expected the same for those of us who were not as organized as her. She had a good smile and a heart just as big. My hugs to all of you when you share memories. Sue Boutelle "
"Our sincere sympathy to the family of Carol. We were friends for many years and cherish the times we had together---we met Carol and Jerry in a bowling league and we were partners on our team. We went to dances with them and yes, they loved to dance. We would go to their house after and party some more. Their kids was their world----they loved them and the grandchildren so much. Carol was a great cook and we got to eat treats at Christmas. And yes, she sang so beautiful. We miss them. RIP"