Carolyn "Kay" Sartori

Carolyn Kay VanOrsdel was born on October 3, 1943 in Wadena, Minnesota. Her parents were the late Kenneth Charles and Ruth (Johnson) VanOrsdel. Kay graduated from the Wadena High School with the class of 1961. On April 14, 1961 Kay was united in marriage with Donald Sartori in Joliet, Illinois.  Their marriage was blessed with 4 children: Sherry, Donnie, Kim, and Mike. 

Kay and Don made their home for a short time in Wadena and then moved to Lockport, Illinois.  They also resided in Gresham, Oregon, McHenry, Illinois and returning to Lockport for a short time.

In 1975 Kay and Don made their home in Wadena where Kay enjoyed employment at the Fresh Freeze, then the Wadena Community Center.  She also loved going for walks, reading her Bible, spending time and going to her grandchildren’s events, delivering Meals on Wheels, assisting in children’s Bible Study and watching westerns.

On July 11, 2020 Kay passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the Greenwood Connection in Menahga, Minnesota at 76 years of age.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.  Preceding Kay in death were her parents, Kenneth and Ruth.

Kay is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Donald Sartori of Wadena; 4 children: Sherry (Eugene) Richter of Sioux Falls, South Dakota;  Donnie (Julie) Sartori of Waseca; Kim (Jack) Johnson of Becker; Mike (Nikki) Sartori of Wadena;  9 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren;  siblings: Barb (Bill) Murphy of Wadena; Vernon (Edna) VanOrsdel of Wadena; Carroll VanOrsdel of Show Low, Arizona; many other relatives and a host of friends.

The Karvonen Funeral Home Chapel in Wadena can seat up to 165 people for Kay’s Funeral Service in accordance to the guidelines provided by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Masks are optional.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions for the purpose of Regenerative Medicine—ALS Research at Mayo Clinic be sent to:

Mayo Clinic
Department of Development,
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905

Or visit the Mayo Clinic Website at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic

 Donations should note that the gift is in memory of Carolyn “Kay” Sartori.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn "Kay" Sartori, please visit our floral store.