Carol Hvidsten

Carol A. Hvidsten, age 84, of New Prague, formerly of Fargo, died peacefully at Praha Village in New Prague, on Friday, February 28, 2025. Carol was born on July 8, 1940, in Dwight, Illinois, to Oliver and Ingeborg (Langhelle) Mortvedt. The family moved from Illinois to Fergus Falls where Carol graduated from high school. She met an “older” man at a Luther League convention and the two furthered their courtship when they both attended Concordia College in Moorhead. Carol married Gordon Hvidsten on August 26, 1961. She completed her BA in Elementary Education at Concordia in 1964 and started her career as an elementary classroom teacher in Moorhead. Later Carol continued her teaching career as an ESL and Title 1 teacher in the Fargo School District.

Carol’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she was actively involved in both Good Shephard Lutheran Church in Moorhead and First Lutheran Church in Fargo. Proud of her Norwegian heritage, Carol was a dedicated member of the Sons of Norway. Her mother was born in Norway and was perhaps responsible for Carol’s mastery of the Norwegian baked goods like lefse, potato cakes, and krumkake, and of course, her wonderful pies. A prolific crafter, Carol loved the colors shared in Norwegian crafts, the deep reds and bright yellows. Her crafts were shown and sold in the Christmas Bazaar in her own home and the Oak Grove Bazaar in the school of the same name.

Carol was a consummate people-person, always the last to leave church on a Sunday after talking to everyone there; she took the Minnesota goodbye to a new height and had her own “Carol goodbye”! She loved nothing more than throwing a party, hosting all the holidays with gusto! Their cabin on Lake Crystal near Pelican Rapids was the scene of the large family reunion that she joyfully hosted for 26 years. Her outgoing personality saw her forming and joining numerous clubs with friends, such as the Senility Sisters and the Woodcrest Walkers. She loved golfing, cards, and bowling in any spare time not taken up by all her crafting and party hosting! She and Gordon enjoyed wintering in Surprise, AZ, where they made numerous friends and enjoyed their volunteer work, especially at the annual PGA tournament held nearby. Everyone knew Carol for the huge smile that lit up her face; her vivaciousness and that smile will be missed by all who knew her.

Carol is survived by her children, Mark (Nicole) Hvidsten of New Prague, Maria Hvidsten of Fergus Falls, Kari (Mark) Drake of West Des Moines, IA, Paul (Kim) Hvidsten of Fargo; grandchildren, Samantha, Taylor, & Mikkal Hvidsten, Daniel & Mallory Drake; step-grandchildren, Anthony (Erin) Wilcox, Josh Wilcox & Dustin (Miranda Blackburn) Vines; 3 great-grandchildren; many cherished nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, on April 26, 2019; her parents.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (4000 28th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560), with visitation beginning at 10:AM.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association, Moments Hospice in Mankato, MN, or your local hospice.