Caroline Drangstveit, 94, died on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.

Caroline Emily Blakkestad was born on November 19, 1912 on the family farm near Goodridge, MN in Moylan Township, Marshall County the daughter of Arnie and Magda (Moe) Blakkestad. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Germantown, MN. Caroline attended country school in Moylan Township. She attended nurses training in Thief River Falls, MN.

She was united in marriage to Orin Drangstveit on December 8, 1935 at Zion Lutheran Church in Germantown, MN by Pastor Sabo. Following their marriage they worked out for farmers near Lake Bronson and Hazel, MN. In the late 1930s they moved to the family farm in Moylan Township and purchased it in the 1940s. They farmed together until February 4, 1960 when Orin died.

Caroline continued to live on the farm until 1965 when she and Claree moved to Vancouver, WA to take care of her mother, Magda. While in Vancouver, she also took on jobs cleaning homes and in 1968 they returned to Thief River Falls, MN. Caroline moved into the staff house at Oakland Park Nursing Home where she worked for 17 years as a dietary technician. In 1985 Caroline returned to Vancouver to care for her sister, Elma. Elma died seven months later and Caroline returned to Thief River Falls. Then she retired from Oakland Park Nursing Home. She lived above Corner Drug, Riverside Terrace and since June of 2001 has resided at Oakland Park Nursing Home.

She enjoyed handiwork; she made many blankets, quilts, tablecloths and pillowcases for her family and friends. She also enjoyed playing bingo and cards. Caroline loved her family very much and every chance she had, she would talk about them. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Germantown and Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. She was also a member of Rebeccas Lodge in Thief River Falls.

Survivors include 4 children, Orvin (Janet) Drangstveit of Albert Lea, MN, Merlin (Marlys) Drangstveit of Goodridge, MN, Dennis (Janie) Drangstveit of Rhinelander, WI and Claree (Duane) Paulson of Roseau, MN; 11 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and many niece, nephews, and relatives.

She is preceded in death by her husband; father, Arnie on April 4, 1936; mother, Magda on March 8, 1975; brothers, Adolph on January 30, 1975, Odwin on March 16, 1985, and Arthur on May 27, 1940; sisters Elma on June 9, 1985 and Inga on November 19, 1993; and great grandson, Taylor Drangstveit on December 25, 2002.