Carol Wangsness

Click to View Carol's Funeral Service Live

Carol Wangsness, 82, of Miller, passed away Friday, October 23, 2020 surrounded by her family at home.

Funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Miller with Rev. Max Miller officiating.  Burial followed at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.  Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.  Mask are required at the funeral and strongly encouraged at the visitation.

Carol was born Waveline Carol Beers in Crawford, Nebraska to Bruce and Esther Beers.  Her siblings included her brother, Bill, younger brother, Bob, and younger sister, Sue.  At the age of nine, she and her brothers were adopted by Everett and Aura (Chambers) Williams and her name was changed to Carol Ann Williams. The Williams family lived in Cresbard, South Dakota before moving to Miller where they purchased a grocery store. 

Carol graduated from Miller High School in 1957.  She went to cosmetology school.  A couple years after high school, she was out on a Saturday night when a young man noticed her.  It was then Darrell Wangsness and Carol began their romance.  They were married April 9, 1964 in Pierre, South Dakota.  To this union, four children were born: Michelle, Melissa, Angela, and J.D. 

For several years, Carol worked for Bennie and Ida Weideman as cosmetologist.  She then went to work for the Miller Press writing for sports and anything that needed to be done there.  She won several awards for her writing. 

Being involved in the community was important to Carol.  She taught Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran Church, kept the score book at all Rustler sporting events for many years, organized the local Snow Queen Festival, and loved to bowl.  Her love for dolls began when she was a young girl.  Her biological father bought her the first doll at the age of five.  From there, her love grew, and her collection began. 

Carol was known to have a memory of steel.  The beginning of her life was full of heartache and sorrow.  Through all of it, she discovered the importance of family.  Her past made her the exceptional person she became.  On July 4, 1961, she was able to make a trip to Deadwood, South Dakota to visit her biological mother, Esther, and her sister, Sue.  Before her biological father, Bruce passed away, Carol and her brothers Bill and Bob and sister Sue, were able to visit him and meet their six half siblings.  It was not until all four of her parents had passed, Carol shared her history.  She could recount her past like it had happened just yesterday. 

More than anything, family was important to Carol.  She raised her grandson Tanner through college and all of her grandchildren were extremely important to her. 

Her memory will be cherished by her husband, Darrell of Miller; children: Melissa Wangsness of Miller, Angela Wangsness (Dale Trautman) of Woonsocket, and J.D. (Melanie) Wangsness of Miller; grandchildren: Tanner, Mike, Kylee, Mathew, Brittlyn, Stetson, Devin, and Ben; great grandchildren: Rosie and Pyper; her brothers, Bill (Beverly)Williams and Bob Williams; sister, Sue (Bruce) Moore; her half-sisters and brother in Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Greeting her in Heaven are her adopted parents, Everett and Aura Williams biological parents, Bruce and Esther Beers; and daughter, Michelle.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Carol’s arrangements.