Carol Affolter

Marshall: Carol Affolter, age 79, passed away suddenly at her residence on Monday, November 26, 2012. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 1st at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M with a 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Hamilton Funeral Home.. Burial will be in the Marshall Cemetery.
Carol Jane Affolter was called to her Eternal rest on Monday, November 26, 2012 at the age of 79.
Carol Jane Affolter (Rohlin) was born March 25, 1933 in Chicago Heights, Illinois to Ruth and Fred Rohlin. She became a child of God through her baptism in the Christian faith on May 21, 1933. In 1936 Carol moved with her family to Marshall, MN where her father, Fred, started his practice of optometry. The Rohlin family became active members of Christ Lutheran Church in 1936. On April 14, 1946 Carol was confirmed by the Reverend E. R. Gamm, reaffirming her baptismal covenant at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall, MN. As a member of Christ Lutheran, Carol served as Youth Group President, Girl Pioneer leader, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, choir member, and church organist. Years later, it was Carol’s great privilege and joy to teach both preschool and kindergarten at Samuel Lutheran School.
Carol attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN earning her associate of arts degree. She went on to attend Mankato State University where she earned her bachelor of science degree in teaching. While Carol was in Mankato she attended Immanuel Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School. It was there that she met her husband-to-be, LeRoy Affolter.
LeRoy and Carol were joined in Holy Wedlock on June 6, 1954 in Marshall, MN by the Rev. Gamm. They made their first home in Mankato and shortly thereafter, Carol moved to Mound, MN and began her career as a kindergarten teacher while LeRoy attended the Illinois College of Optometry. One year later, she joined LeRoy in Elmhurst, Illinois where she also taught kindergarten. While they lived in Elmhurst, Carol and LeRoy became charter members of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church of Lombard, Illinois.
In June of 1958, they returned to Minnesota where Carol continued her teaching career in Ivanhoe and at East Side and West Side Elementary schools in Marshall. She was then a partner and teacher at Playmates Nursery School with Jan Clites. Carol finished her teaching career at Samuel Lutheran School as preschool and kindergarten teacher.
The Lord showered Carol and LeRoy with many blessings. In 1961 they were blessed with the gift of a daughter, Sheri Lynn (Mrs. Robert Helgeson). As a mother, she gave of herself unselfishly. She instilled her love of music, reading, baking cookies and a myriad of other gifts in Sheri. The most important gift of all was the gift of her Christian faith. Her cards and letters were a constant reminder of her love and her sense of humor. Carol loved her family so very dearly. Carol loved children. She loved teaching children. Never did her light shine so brightly and was her love demonstrated so generously as in the lives of the four grandchildren she adored. Jeremy, Krysta, Ashley, and Jordan were the recipients of her love, her encouragement, her hugs, and her cookies. Grandma’s recipe for Jordan’s chocolate mint cookies was out on the kitchen counter this past Monday. Carol spiritually fed the lambs at Samuel Lutheran School and likewise she and LeRoy made the Christian Education of their four grandchildren a priority. She faithfully and tirelessly attended their pre-school, grade school, and high school events beaming as only a proud grandmother could. Her pride in their accomplishments was exceeded only by her prayers for each of them. Carol knew that as much as she loved her grandchildren it was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that would keep them steadfast in their faith and secure in His promise of eternal life in heaven. Carol enjoyed many outside activities including bridge, Extension Club, Association of University Women, Southwestern Young Children’s Association, and Minnesota Kindergarten Teacher’s Association.
Carol inherited her love of the lake and fishing from her father, Fred. (Dr. Fred Rohlin). She and LeRoy especially treasured time together at their Lake Minne Belle cabin near Litchfield. Special neighbors who became their extended family enriched their time at the cabin.
Carol is survived by her husband, Dr. LeRoy Affolter, daughter, Sheri Lynn (Mrs. Robert) Helgeson of St. Paul, grandchildren, Jeremy of Minneapolis, Krysta (and Kyle) Winter of Harrisburg, SD, Jordan (Brittany Lendt) of Mankato and Ashley (and Steven) Arceneaux of Hurst, TX, brothers and sister-in-law, Harvey Wohlers, Bill Dickinson, Allen and Beverly Affolter, two nephews and three nieces, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Dr. Fred Rohlin, brothers William and Dr. Bruce Rohlin, and sister Marlys Wohlers.