Carolyn Rosenboom Knutson

A one-mile stretch of road to call home is all some people need to create a meaningful and beautiful life. Our mom was one of those rare, blessed individuals. Carolyn Ann Bebensee was born at the Tyler Hospital in Tyler, Minnesota on September 27, 1944. She went home with her parents, Harry and Lillian, to begin her journey on that mile. As an only child growing up on the family farm, her parents nurtured a love of family, the great outdoors, animals, and flowers that became lifelong passions.

Carolyn spent her grade school years attending Verdi Public School, graduating with the Class of 1962. During high school, she found the man she would spend 54 happy years with. She married Gary Rosenboom on March 9, 1963 at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Elkton, South Dakota, where she had previously celebrated her confirmation in the Christian faith. She left the mile road, only once, to continue her education at Mankato State College in Mankato, Minnesota from 1962 to 1967, but visited home often.

In 1969, Gary and Carolyn purchased the farm down the road from Carolyn’s parents and started their journey on that one mile of road. They welcomed their children, Cary, Cami, Tracey, and Torey along the way. Two German exchange students joined the family too, Peter in 1970 and Wolfgang in 1974. Family was everything to Carolyn, and she put her whole heart into birthdays, holidays, family trips, and family gatherings of all kinds. As each grandchild entered the story, she loved them with her whole heart. Michelle, Stephanie, Aidan, Logan, Kaitlyn, Emily, and great-granddaughter Vivian filled her life with laughter and smiles.

Her growing-up years fostered a deep love for her Verdi community that never wavered. In the fall of 1974, Carolyn began teaching Kindergarten full-time at Verdi. What followed was 34 years of teaching 100s of children the joy of learning. She retired in 2008 after teaching 3rd grade at Hill School in Pipestone for many years.

Her love for students, children, and learning was a hallmark of her life. She was a member of the MEA & Education Minnesota as well as a Delta Kappa Gamma member. Gary and Carolyn believed that service to the community and others was their calling. Gary and Carolyn joined St John Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota in 1969. There Carolyn was a part of the Dorcas Society, Church Choir, stain glass window committee, and quilting group. In 1972, Carolyn and a group of neighbors created the Verdi Go Getters 4-H Club. She continued to be a co-leader for decades until the club dissolved. Her love of community kept her busy with numerous local organizations, including Farmerelles Extension Club, Verdi Community Choir, Verdi Community Club, Happy Day Card Club, and the Library Board, to name a few. Throughout life Carolyn enjoyed traveling both far and near. She was able to see parts of Germany, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. One of her favorite trips was her high school graduation trip with her parents to Seattle for the World’s Fair in 1962.

The two great sorrows of her life were the loss of Gary in 2013 and her oldest son, Cary, in 2019. She was able to rebuild her life and reconnected with a high school classmate, Carl Knutson. They were married on November 5, 2022, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, South Dakota. They have made their home on that same mile stretch of road. Carolyn passed away peacefully at home in Verdi on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Carl; her children and spouses Cami (Jim) Nichols, Tracey (Ivan) Kuhlman, and Torey (Lisa) Rosenboom; her grandchildren Michelle (Chris) Van Houten, Stephanie (Collin), Aidan, Logan, Kaitlyn and Emily; her great grandchildren, Maverick and Vivian; her exchange children, Peter and Wolfgang; step daughters, Kassaundra and Escha; brother and sister in laws, Kathy, Roger, Judy, Lois, and Dawn; Godsons, John and Mark; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her son, Cary; her granddaughter, Tiffany; her son in law, Bill Fath; her parents, Harry and Lillian; her infant sister; her in laws, Dorothy and Elmer; and her brother in law, Wally.

Her wish is that you may find a mile or a home that brings you as much love, friendship, and joy as this one did for her.