Carol Dean Svendsen

ROCHESTER -Carol D. Svendsen, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester. Carol was born in Lakota, IA on April 18, 1923 to Henry and Myrtle (Chapman) Smith. She moved to Rochester when she was 2 years old and graduated from Rochester High School in 1941.Carol married Richard Svendsen on September 7, 1941 in Rochester.They farmed in Haverhill Township for 20 years.Richard died on November 25, 1962.Carol was also a secretary at Kellogg Jr. High School for 18 years until her retirement in 1979.She was a member of the Rochester Senior Citizens.Carol liked sewing, crocheting, dancing, writing poetry and drawing.She also liked being outdoors, socializing, and especially having her family around her. Carol is survived by four grandchildren, Peter (Shannon) Svendsen, of Rochester, Katharine Katie (James) Stark, of Mesa, AZ, Christina (David) Burke, of Rochester, and Richard Rick (Amy) Svendsen; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Svendsen, of Rochester; and nine great grandchildren. Carol is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Henry and Myrtle; a son, Martin; two infant daughters, Patricia and Susan; two brothers, Russell and Irvin; and two sisters, Dorothy and Margaret. A Visitation in Remembrance of Carol will be held from 12-2 P.M. on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home.Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester. Memorials can be directed to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.