Carol M. Sonstelie

Carol M. Sonstelie, 84, of Moorhead, MN passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at River Pointe of Moorhead. 

Carol was born on February 10, 1940, to Oscar and Marion (Scott) Braaten in Nielsville, MN and graduated from Climax High School, in 1958. She attended X-ray school in Minneapolis and started her career as an X-Ray Tech in Crookston, MN before joining the staff at St. Michael’s Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. She was also fluent in Spanish and was called upon many times throughout her career. 

In 1961, Carol met Arvid Sonstelie and they were married in Nielsville on January 20, 1962. They made their home in Grand Forks until 1963 when they began their travels to various places in South America and the US. They settled in Moorhead in 1976 and joined Lutheran Church of Christ the King, where they have been dedicated members ever since. 

Carol took a position with Dakota Clinic in Fargo, ND as an X-Ray and Ultrasound Tech until 1997 when she went to work for a private practice OBGYN before retiring in 2002. She often talked about seeing all her grandchildren well before they were born.

In 2004, Carol and Arvid began travelling by motorhome throughout the US for Arvid’s work. They adored their dog and travel companion, Muffin, and she was always along for the ride. They settled back in Moorhead for good in 2018 as Carol’s Alzheimer’s began to advance.

Carol was very active in the church choir and enjoyed watching baseball, especially the F/M Redhawks. Most of all she loved her family and grandchildren. She went for many years hosting family dinners every Sunday. She had a passion for caring for children and was a neighborhood “Mom” to many of the children nearby.

Carol is survived by her husband, Arvid; children, Ann (Dale) Leuthard, Beth (Mike Dindorf) Daniel, and Dean (DeeDee) Sonstelie; son-in-law, Jay Jenson; grandchildren, Nicole Johnson, Gary Daniel, Trenton Daniel, Jessica Chen, Alex Leuthard, Sarah Jenson, and Racia Henrichs; great-grandchildren, Isabel Johnson, Vivienne Johnson, Kai Chen and Elijah; siblings, Allen Braaten, Bonnie (Russ) Olson, and Gary Braaten; sister-in-law, Marie Ripp; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Carla Jenson; sister, Dorothy Gordon; brothers-in-law, Gordon, and Rodney Sonstelie; and sister-in-law, Karen Jacobson. 

Visitation: Monday, March 11, 2024, from 5-7 PM with a prayer service and Livestream beginning at 7 PM at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Memorial Service with Livestream: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour before the service at Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Moorhead, MN.

Final resting place will be in the church columbarium.