Carole A. Westra

Carole A. Westra, 69, Park Rapids, MN, died on Monday, August 6, 2012, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.Carole Ann Raveling was born on November 13, 1942, in Valley City, ND, to Harold and Ethelyn Louden Raveling. She grew up and attended the Noltemeier rural school near Valley City. She graduated in 1964 from Valley City State College. Carole married James Westra on December 27, 1962, in Valley City. They lived in Stevens Point, WI, for three years and she taught school there. They moved to Moorhead in 1968. She taught in the Moorhead Public Schools from 1978 until 2000, when she retired from teaching and they moved to the lake near Park Rapids, MN. She and James worked in the family photography/publishing business right up until the time of her death. They also participated in the operation of a family farm near Valley City, ND, for many years. Carole loved spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed sewing and scrapbooking.Carole is survived by her husband, James Westra, Park Rapids, MN; two sons, Rick Vicky Westra, and their children, Nolan and Colton, Moorhead, MN, and Matt Julie Westra, and their children, Mackenzie, Ethan and Bennett, Simpsonville, SC; one daughter, Missy Dan Van Erem, and their son Gunnar, Fargo, ND; brothers, Don Cathie Raveling, Pierre, SD, and Dale Raveling, Fargo, ND; and the aforementioned six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ethelyn; grandson, Hunter Van Erem; and two twin sisters.