Carol Jessen

May 20, 1931-July 31, 2025
Minot
Carol Jessen, 94, Minot, died Thursday, July 31, 2025 in a Minot nursing home.
Carol Mae Harstad was born on May 20, 1931, in Ryder, ND one of ten children born to Paul and Mabel Harstad. Carol was raised in the Stanley, ND area. At the age of 14, Carol and her sister, Lorraine, moved into Stanley to attend high school. This caught the attention of the boys in Stanley. Both gals were very popular throughout their high school days. Carol graduated in 1949.
Carol met her husband, Darold, in Stanley when he was employed by the Red Owl grocery store. They were married in July 1950 and raised their three children in Minot. Family events, golfing, camping, and fishing were their favorite activities during their 55 years of marriage.
Carol had a variety of jobs in her lifetime. These included REA in Stanley, Ellison’s Department Store in Minot, and as a bookkeeper for the Jessen’s Red Owl in downtown Minot. Her final calling was to be a caretaker for her two grandchildren, Derek and Kelly Sande. However, Carol had a special relationship with all seven grandchildren.
Family was very important to Carol, and she loved family gatherings. Carol was an eternal optimist. She always looked on the bright side of things. Decorating her home and furniture shopping brought her joy. Her favorite pastime was playing Bingo. During her years of playingBingo, she formed many friendships that she cherished.
Carol is survived by two children, Dennis (Cheryl) Jessen of Moorhead, MN, and Debbie (Steve) Bakke of Minot, ND. A brother, Orville (Betty) Harstad of Stanley, ND, and one sister, Beryl Dokken of Colorado Springs, CO, sister-in-law Marie Harstad of Stanley, ND. Six grandchildren:Jamey (Mariah) Jessen, Detroit Lakes, MN, Mandy Jessen, Dilworth, MN, Alyssa (Mike) Sander,Glenburn, ND, Kelly Sande, Minot, ND, Ryan (Sarah) Bakke, Minot, ND, and Tyler (Lindsay) Bakke of Bismarck, ND. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren: Brayden, Landon, Dalton, Xander, Declan, Waverly, Brandon, Owen, Harper, Georgia, Palmer, Nevaeh, Owen, and Sloane. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Jacky, grandson Derek, and seven siblings.
A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 11 am in Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot.
Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND
Published by The Minot Daily News, August 6, 2025.