Obituary: Caroline Anderson

Caroline Anderson

Devils Lake, N.D.

Caroline Matilda (Wolf) Anderson, 96, passed away on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake, N.D.

Caroline's visitation will be Friday, June 30, 2023 from 3-6 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Bethlehem Cemetery, McHenry, N.D., followed by burial. Pastor Rachael Puttbrese will officiate the service with special music, "My Mother's Bible" by Paul Williams; "Old Rugged Cross"; "When The Saints Go Marching In"; and "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond. Honorary bearers are all of Caroline's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Caroline was born on February 25, 1927 in Hampden, N.D. to Middleton and Nellie (Behnkie) Wolf. She received her teaching certificate in Minot, N.D. and taught in the Hampden area where she picked up her students in the school bus pulled by her team of horses, in the winter using a coal furnace in the bus for warmth. She drove the school bus as a student and as a teacher. She picked up the neighbor children. She had to care for the horses before running to school to be on time.

She met Clinton Anderson when he was hired to help with her father's harvest. She was driving the horses then as they thrashed grain. They were married on December 21, 1947 in Hampden. They lived briefly in Coral City, Wisc. and in Hovland, Minn. before moving back to Hampden, where they farmed until November of 1960, when they moved to the farm in McHenry, N.D. Caroline and Clinton worked side by side tending to dairy cattle, beef cattle, occasionally sheep and pigs, and raising grain and hay. They raised seven children to be strong and "backfill" for each other. She spent over 20 years working for Posi-Lock and was also a substitute mail carrier. After Clinton passed away in March of 2002 after almost 55 years of marriage, she remained on the farm tending to the weeds in CRP, mowing lawn and taking care of her barn cats. Caroline loved gardening and was a great writer. She wrote the best letters and was always frustrated when a card would come with just a signature inside – she appreciated the thought but wanted to know more. She was kind, humble, had a good sense of humor and always gave good advice. Caroline had a no-nonsense stride and was very purposeful. She was always working on something. She was active in church and the community. She was a founding member of the McHenry Ambulance and the McHenry Senior Citizens Friendship Club. She will be joining the saints as she enjoyed the song "When The Saints Go Marching In." Caroline has been in God's waiting room for a while and has now gone home.

Caroline is survived by her sister Angeline Benn; brother Franklin Ray (Wanda) Wolf; sister-in-law Jan Wolf; sons James (Phyllis) Anderson and Duane Anderson; daughters Marjorie (Joe) Rosenquist-Moya, Joy Tandberg, Cathy (Mark) Hyams and Amy Anderson; daughter-in-law Rachel Anderson; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Mid & Nellie Wolf; husband Clinton Anderson; sisters Wanda Iverson and Zola Beauchamp; brothers Wallace Wolf, Everette Wolf, Leroy Wolf, John Wolf and Howard Wolf; son Dennis Anderson; son-in-law Paul Tandberg; grandson Craig Rosenquist and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the McHenry Ambulance, Bethlehem Cemetery at McHenry, or the Macular Degeneration Foundation.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford, N.D.