Carolyn Nolte

Carolyn Frances Nolte (Pugh) passed away peacefully on August 14, 2021 at the age of 80 with her two children by her side at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN.

Carolyn was born on July 22, 1941 in Eagle Bend, MN to Francis and Edna Pugh (Christianson). Francis took a job with the railroad and was eventually transferred to Sebeka, MN. When Carolyn reached the 7th grade the family moved to Cass Lake for her dad’s job. There she met her friend Phyllis Brogger whom she remained friends with until her passing. Phyllis was able to visit Carolyn this summer one last time. The family eventually moved back to Sebeka and Carolyn graduated there with the class of 1959.

She met her first husband Keith Olson during that time and they were united in marriage on March 11th, 1961. They had 3 children Brent, Brenda and Brian. Carolyn worked for many years as a nursing assistant at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN and Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN. Keith passed away in 1986 from brain cancer and Carolyn continued to live in their home in rural Sebeka. She worked at the American Legion helping with the weekly Bingo night. She enjoyed visiting with many locals each week. She welcomed 3 grandchildren during those years. Marie and Beth, daughters of Brent and Audrey Olson (Coventry) and Dylan, son of Brenda and Richard Gronlund.

In 1995 Carolyn was united in marriage to Bernhard (Ben) Nolte. She gained a stepson Kyle and stepdaughter Kari and eventually 3 step grandchildren. Hunter and Sarah, son and daughter of Kyle Nolte and Kaitlyn, daughter of Kari Nolte. Later that year she lost her firstborn Brent to a hunting accident and her family was grateful she had Ben to support her through this difficult time.

As the years passed, they had many travels together and Carolyn got to see much of the US. They eventually settled for winters in Kerrville, Texas where Carolyn met many new friends. She spent many Saturday mornings telling her daughter about all the friends and what they were up to in the trailer park. Her special Rice Krispy bars were a favorite and she was asked to bring them to all the potlucks. She was a member of the Red Hat Society with her friends there. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, Doris Day movies and her television was usually tuned to a Western channel. Later she became a fan of the San Antonio Spurs as basketball had always been her favorite sport. She was a wonderful cook and baker. Her children fondly remember the smell of baking bread in the home growing up. In 2018 Carolyn suffered a severe stroke and was moved home to Minnesota to Green Pine Acres where she had once worked. The staff there took excellent care of her until her passing.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Ben Nolte, daughter Brenda Gronlund (Richard), son Brian Olson (Jessica), daughter-in-law Audrey Olson, granddaughters Marie Olson (Tony) and Beth Hurst (Kyle) and grandson Dylan Gronlund. Stepson Kyle Nolte (Britt), stepdaughter Kari Nolte (Chris) and step grandchildren Hunter, Sarah and Kaitlyn Nolte and her brother Gene Pugh (Kris). Also, many nieces, nephews, brother and sister in-laws. She was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Edna, her first husband Keith, her son Brent and her sister Janet Pugh.

In lieu of flowers, Carolyn’s family ask that you make a donation to Green Pine Acres for a projector that will be used for resident activities.

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