Carol Trelstad

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Trelstad, Carol

Robed in Baptismal promise, Carol Trelstad of Edina passed on to eternal life on March 29, 2024 at age 91. In her last days, she was surrounded by family, singing hymns and sharing prayers. She is preceded in death by her parents and her adoring husband, Rev. John Trelstad. Carol was a farm girl who was baptized, confirmed and married at Lands Lutheran Church in Hudson, South Dakota. She graduated in the top of her class from Augustana Academy of Canton, SD in 1950. In 1954, she graduated, Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude, from St. Olaf College of Northfield, MN with majors in English and History. At St. Olaf, she sang for the Norwegian language church services on WCAL, to the joy of her parents far away who tuned-in to hear her on the radio.

In 1956, Carol married John, whom she had met at St. Olaf. They settled in Rochester where she was a middle school English teacher and he was a pastor at Zumbro Lutheran Church. They served the ministry of Zumbro for 23 years where Carol worked writing and publishing the church paper. They moved to Edina, MN in 1979 where they served the ministries of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church of Edina until John's retirement in 1994.

She was a life-long learner with a passion for biblical study and poetry; music and humor were essential to her nature. Carol was an example of learning and discussion at the center of Christian faith practice. She recited her vast memorized poems for family often. She scared them with Poe's "The Raven" and charmed them with "A Visit from St. Nicholas." She played the piano by ear and was the center of sing-alongs at home and church. She played for events throughout her life such as, in her high school years, meetings of the Dakota Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Carol sang in church and school choirs as an alto her entire life and trained her family to sing in five-part harmony. In all congregations and schools, Carol's gentle (but sharp) wit kept the alto sections continuously entertained, and the directors on their toes.

She was one of the funniest people you have ever met and enjoyed writing comedy skits, sketches and one-liners. She practiced these on unsuspecting clerks and strangers, amusing herself and puzzling them with her dry delivery. Beyond this, she was gracious and welcoming. A trained Stephen Minister, she comforted people with listening and prayer. Happy to bring people to her table for a good and amusing talk, she baked pies, rolls and desserts, and taught her family to make traditional Norwegian foods.

John and Carol were married for 63 years and lived in Edina until his death in 2020. Carol is survived by her sister Eloise Pass of Duluth, MN, her children Peter Trelstad (LaVaun), Kari Petree, Marit Trelstad (Bjorn Larsen), six grandchildren: Erik Trelstad, Anders Trelstad, Brandon Petree, Natalie Petree, Tove Trelstad-Larsen, Kai Trelstad-Larsen and two great-grandchildren: Delilah Petree and Martin Trelstad. She is also survived by a dear niece, nephews and admirers.

Funeral Service is 2pm, April 5th, at Normandale Lutheran Church with visitation one hour before the service. Burial at Lakewood Cemetery April 6th at 10am. Memorials may be offered to Normandale Evangelical Lutheran Church of Edina.

Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on April 3, 2024