Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Carol Montgomery
Carol Montgomery, age 94, died February 26, 2020, at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, ND.
Carol Jesslyn Mills was born January 24, 1926, in Carrington to Gerda (Watne) Mills and Lew Mills. The oldest of four children, Carol was an avid reader and fine student, and she was especially close to her sister Elaine.
Carol graduated from Carrington High School. As a teenager, Carol enjoyed school and time with friends and family, and she worked part-time at Galehouse Drugstore on Main Street in Carrington. On January 6, 1945, Carol married Robert Montgomery. She and Robert ranched and farmed west of Carrington for more than 40 years. They had been married 64 years at the time of Robert’s passing in 2009.
Carol and Robert had nine children, whom they loved very much. They experienced tragedy with their first two children, losing infant daughter Kay to illness and their first child, Richard, to a drowning accident at age 18. These experiences affected them both deeply, and Carol was known among friends and family to have great empathy and support for people struggling with loss. Carol lost two adult sons as well.
In addition to being a beloved mother and wife and being active in the Carrington community, Carol loved to read widely and build her home library. She loved dogs and collecting beautiful dishes and listening to a wide range of music. Carol loved seeing wildlife and birdwatching and tracking the night sky and the phases of the moon. Carol volunteered for various causes and events, and she was quick to lend a helping hand in low-key ways. She also thoroughly enjoyed attending school concerts and other area events featuring the Arts, and she especially enjoyed working part-time at the Carrington Library during her retirement years.
Carol also had a deep and abiding faith, and she was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington. She served on various church committees, and she was especially active in Trinity Lutheran Church Women and in supporting the growth of the library at Trinity Lutheran. Carol also cared a lot about welcoming newcomers to Trinity and to Carrington, and she was quick to share a smile and a warm greeting.
Carol also took great pleasure in spending time with her friends in the Carrington area. She was an active and longstanding member of Dover Club, which was a monthly gathering of farm wives in the Wyard Township area. And she loved the fellowship and activities of Literary Club and similar groups in Carrington. She also enjoyed getting coffee with friends and hosting late-night coffee visits. Anyone who knew Carol knew that she made a great cup of coffee and that it was never too late at night for coffee and a visit, either in person or over the phone.
Carol spent the last several years of her life as a resident at Golden Acres Manor. She enjoyed the fellowship there, and she was known by all to be gracious and cheerful and appreciative of life’s blessings. And while mild dementia affected her short-term memory more and more in her last years, Carol retained her lovely personality, her pleasure in visiting with family and friends, her love of music and dogs, and her wry wit and quick sense of humor.
Carol is survived by her children Ann Montgomery (Flagstaff, AZ), Sue Montgomery (Mandan, ND), Lee (Fargo, ND), Jennifer Montgomery (Frank Cummings) (Salisbury, NH), and Ron (Arthur, ND); and by her granddaughter Brooke (Craig) Roth and great-grandsons Hudson and Becker Roth (Los Angeles, CA). Carol was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents Lew and Gerda Mills, her sister Elaine (Mills) Hall, her brothers Fritz Mills and Eldon Mills, and her children Kay Montgomery, Richard Montgomery, Scott Montgomery, and James Montgomery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 2:30PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington.
Burial will be at the Carrington Cemetery.
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My deepest sympathy to the entire Montgomery family. May God wrap his arms around you and give you strength.
Sorry for your loss of your mom. she was a great friend to my mom Mary (Boschee )Kanwischer
What a lovely tribute to a life well-lived. Our hearts go out to you all. Love from the Keys family.
To Carol’s family: I loved Carol as a second mom. Both she and Robert were my God parents. When mom and dad moved from North Dakota to California they would only see Carol and Robert when they took vacations to North Dakota. Carol was one of my mother’s best friends in high school and they remained close friends until my own mother’s death in 1982. Mom always had nothing but nice things to say about Carol and their fun times together. Through the many years, they kept in touch through cards and letters. I do remember visiting Carol and Robert at their farm when I was a young child and then later when they lived in the Putnum House. When I began writing a book centered around my late Uncle, Clarence Bonderud’s, life, I was in contact with Carol again. When I visited Carrington in 2004 and 2008 Carol was helpful in filling in the years so I could get a better timeline of events during the forties and war years. Carol and I were in touch until she moved into Golden Acres. I lived in Washington State at the time and could only communicate through mutual friends. Carol will be greatly missed for all the reasons people loved her. I’m thankful Carol was my mother’s friend. Because of their friendship I always felt Carol was part of our family. I’m praising God that she is in the Lord’s arms today and has passed from this earthly realm into the next. May each of you be comforted and blessed for the wonderful mother, grandmother and friend she was. I will never forget Carol and her love of others.
Carol was a special person, always had a kind word and a special smile to every one she saw,
you always felt special after visiting with her. She will be missed. Prayers and comfort to her family.
My deepest sympathy to the Montgomery children. You had one of the friendliest, kind, gentle mothers anyone could have. Having her for a neighbor, and coffee friend any time of the day you needed a friendly smile or word of encouragement, was a treasure and a previlage I will never forget. Our children still talk about the good times they had at each others houses at least ( twenty times a day) ha ha, just because we were alley neighbors. May the good lord keep your memories close to your heart.
I was glad to have met Carol on a special trip down the Missouri to visit an active eagle’s nest. But even if I hadn’t, I felt I knew her through Jennifer’s loving stories as a lovely, dog-loving (and rescuing), gentle , intelligent woman. I’m so sorry for the family’s loss.
Carol was indeed a very kind and special lady. I knew her through the Library and the Historical Society, and various social contacts. She will have a special place in Heaven. May she rest in peace. My condolences to her family.
Carol was a lovely lady. I remember wherever she went she always looked pretty, wearing dresses and when in GAM had polished nails. When I’d comment on how pretty she was she’d be quick to change the subject. So humble. I loved when I went to the library and she was the one working. She always had recommendations of good books she had read and enjoyed. When my husband and I first started going to Trinity Lutheran Church, she was the first one to greet us and welcome us to her church. Later, after we had joined the church she was always present with someone else as she always offered to give others a ride Sunday morning. She lead a good God-filled life. A true inspiration to others.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Carol was a joy to visit with and she was so appreciative of all visits, your support to her was a blessing. I was glad to see you Jennifer when I was there the last time.
My thoughts are with Carol’s family. It is so painful to lose someone, yet no one else can really know all that you feel except our Heavenly Father. He knows and feels your pain. He calls death an enemy and promises to remove it forever, Isaiah 25:8 “And he will swallow up death forever…” He also promised to wake up all our loved ones, in the memorial tombs, from death (Isaiah 26:19). What joy it will be to see our loved ones again and to enjoy life as our Creator purposed (Psalms 145:16). I hope these words give all of you comfort.
A kind lady and remember her supportiveness especially at Trinity helping with education committee.