Carol D. Nelson

Carol D. Nelson, 71, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Carol was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her passing.

Carol was born on Jan. 13, 1939 to Patria and E.E. "Swede" Hilling, in Sidney. As a child, Carol enjoyed growing up in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota, where she was surrounded by her extended family. Carol attended elementary school in Bainville, and Williston, N.D., She graduated from Williston High School in 1956. During her senior year, Carol was crowned homecoming queen. After attending a year and a half of college, at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota Carol became engaged to Richard Nelson and they were married in July of 1959 (later divorced). Carol attended the University of Montana, in Missoula, where she graduation with a degree in elementary education in 1973.

Carol was a veteran teacher for the Columbia Falls school district where she taught second grade for 28 years. She cherished her students and her years in the classroom. As a teacher, Carol was an advocate for children and was focused on teaching the "basics' and creating life long learners. Carol was an avid reader, scrapbooker, seamstress and shopper. She enjoyed traveling, camping, playing games and baking. Carol was generous to her friends and was an extremely doting grandmother to her grandchild as well as many surrogate grandchildren. Carol was a long time member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church and valued the church community and the role it played in helping to raise her daughter.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Nelson) Hawthorne and husband Jim Hawthorne, granddaughters Cristiana and Margrethe Hawthorne of Edina, Minn., Sister Patrica LaRoque and husband Jerry of Columbia Falls and their children Jennifer, Mark, Aaron and Ryan, best friend Louann Mohn and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Carol was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Davey Hilling.

A service of celebration and memorial will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church on Friday, July 23 at 11 a.m.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.