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July 8, 1946-Sept. 30, 2026
Minot
Carolyn Lommen, 80, Minot, ND, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Trinity Hospital.
Carolyn Avery Knowles was born on July 8, 1946, in Mansfield, Massachusetts, the only daughter of three children to Richard Knowles and Mary Knowles (Money). Carolyn passed away September 30, 3026 at Trinity Hospital in Minot.
Carolyn was raised and educated in Mansfield, Massachusetts, graduating from Mansfield High School in 1968. After graduating high school, she went on to further her education, attending Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, where she graduated. She later attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she met and married an unlikely country boy from North Dakota, Orvin Lommen.
Orvin and Carolyn moved to Minot, N.D., where both had job opportunities with the Department of Human Services. One year later, they moved to Pennsylvania where Carolyn completed her master's degree in social work at Bryn Mawr College. After both she and Orvin completed their education, they returned to Minot where employment opportunities were waiting. Carolyn worked for a time with the Department of Education, then took a job as the supervisor of the Oppen Program for unwed mothers. She left that job to be a stay-at-home mother until Erik and David were in elementary school.
An opportunity to join the faculty at Minot State University became available in the department of Social Work and Criminal Justice. For the next 21 years, she enjoyed her role as a teacher and role model for students eager to learn. She also wanted to have time to pursue her interest in art, politics and spending time with her many friends. Perhaps her favorite activity was the weekly meeting of the Friday group at the Broadway Bean and Bagel where they considered the problems of the world and the obvious solutions.
Another highlight in her life was the birth of her grandson, Oliver Anders Lommen in 2013. A little boy who is now a big boy and perfect in every way. She was a very devoted grandmother and loved spending time with her grandson whenever given the opportunity.
Carolyn is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Orvin; sons, Erik Lommen (Sara) and David Lommen (Lisa); grandson, Oliver Lommen; brother David Knowles and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Mary Knowles and her brother, Ralph Knowles.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot at 1:00 pm.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In accordance with Carolyn's wishes, a reviewal will not be held as cremation has taken place.
Burial will be at Rosehill Memorial Park.
Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompson larson.com).
The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Zion Lutheran Church YouTube site: www.youtube.com/c/ ZionLutheran ChurchMinot.
Published by The Minot Daily News, October 6, 2026.