Carol Birkeland

Bismarck

We gather to honor the life of Carol Diane Birkeland, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and woman of deep compassion and faith. She passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025 in a Bismarck hospital at 81. She was a former resident of Carpio.

Carol was born on December 29, 1943, to Francis and Violet Brodin, and raised in the community of Richfield, Minnesota. Some of her fondest childhood memories were spent at Lake Jennie in Dassel, surrounded by cousins, laughter, and the natural beauty that always seemed to bring her peace.

After graduating from high school in 1961, Carol received her degree from the Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing in 1962. In 1985, she returned to school and graduated with a degree in Sociology from Minot State University in 1993.

On March 13, 1965, Carol married Wallace Birkeland in Minneapolis, and together they began a life rooted in love and partnership. They moved to the family farm in Carpio, a place that would become the heart of their story. There, they raised their three children: Jeffery, DeAnn, and Darcy.

Carol lived her faith quietly but deeply. She was an active member of the Carpio Lutheran Church, participating in the women’s circle and teaching Sunday school. Her time spent volunteering at the Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot reflected not only her cultural pride, but her desire to stay connected to her roots.

She found joy in the details of life — in sewing projects and tracing the threads of her family’s past through genealogy. Carol had the gift of travel later in life, visiting places like Sweden, Norway, Moscow, and the Panama Canal.

But if you asked Carol what she was most proud of, she would tell you it was her grandchildren. She was their biggest supporter — attending games, recitals, and every milestone in between. Her love for them was unwavering, and her encouragement never failed. She celebrated their successes, comforted them through challenges, and always reminded them of their worth.

Though we will miss her deeply, we are grateful for the time we had — for the lessons she taught us, for the love she gave, and for the memories that will live on in each of us.

Carol’s surviving family includes her loving husband of 60 years, Wallace Birkeland, Bismarck; children Jeffery (Karen) Birkeland, St. Paul, MN, DeAnn (Craig) Birdsall, Carpio, ND, Darcy (Kory) Schweitzer, Mandan; grandchildren Tyler (Kelsey) Birdsall, Bismarck, and their children, Miller and Wells; Adam (Fiancée Anna) Birdsall, Phoenix; Rachel (Adam) Knudsvig, Carpio, and their daughter Ada; Sara Birdsall, Phoenix; Brett Schweitzer, Mandan; Paige (Clay) Fanta, Mandan; Bjorn Birkeland, St. Paul; Ingrid Birkeland, St. Paul; siblings: Mark (Gerarda) Brodin, Rapid City, Bonnie Langenfeld, Eden Prairie, Ronald (Lorraine) Jensen, Eagan and Nancy (Rick) Lawson, Minot along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her father Francis Brodin, mother Violet Jensen, and Bob Jensen.

Celebration of Carol Birkeland’s Life: 10 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold. To view a recording of the service or to share memories and condolences access her obituary on the Thomas Family Funeral Home website.

Interment: First Lutheran Cemetery, Carpio.

Visitation: July 24, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Published by The Minot Daily News July 23, 2025.