Sersland, Karol Yvonne (Benson) 1929 - 2018

SERSLAND, BENSON, BARTELMEY, RISDAHL, ALFSON, PETERSON, INGRAM, PATTON, CLINE, TAYLOR

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:38

Karol Y. Sersland, age 89, of Decorah, IA, died Sunday evening, October 28, 2018 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Karol’s wish was to donate her body for educational and research purposes to the Deeded Body Program at the University of Iowa, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Dr. Jennifer Edinger officiating.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, one and a half hours before the service, at the church.

Karol Yvonne Sersland was born May 1, 1929 to Judd and Lillian (Bartelmey) Benson at their farm home near Harmony, Minnesota. She was born a twin but her twin brother Keith died three days after birth. She was baptized at the State Line Methodist Church outside of Harmony and attended a rural Harmony school during her youth.

Karol met Howard Sersland at a dance in Decorah and they were married on August 9, 1959 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. They were married for 39 years until Howard’s death on December 28, 1998. She became a dairy farmer’s wife which meant she raised and looked after their registered Holstein calves, drove tractor, unloaded hay bales, ran errands for parts, and paid the farm bills. They maintained their herd of registered Holsteins until 1984 when the herd was dispersed. She was 4-H leader of the Washington Prairie Peppers for many years. She was also involved and was an active member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church including circles and numerous church committees. Karol also served as volunteer at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital for many years on a weekly basis.

Karol was immensely proud of her Benson family heritage. Karol’s nephew, Garren Benson had traced the family history back to the first people who arrived on the Mayflower to America. It had been passed down thru the family history that her great uncle had debated Abraham Lincoln. Research was done and it was indeed found to be a fact. She was also very proud of her Father Judd who farmed all his life. Not to mention her grandfather John Benson who was a Captain for the north in the Civil War and she was equally proud of all twelve of her brothers and sisters.

One group of people that brought a lot of happiness to Karol over time was what was called the “Birthday Group”. This mix of friends in the area would frequently get together for many years to celebrate special occasions.

She was preceded in death by her twin brother Keith; husband Howard; son Keith; daughter-in-law Sandy; brother-in-law Wally Sersland; her brothers: Merlin, Lyle, Manford, Orel and Kenneth; her sisters: Helen Risdahl, Marion Alfson, Vera Peterson, Eunice Ingram and Arlene Patton; her parents Judd and Lillian Benson; and her siblings spouses and numerous nieces and nephews.

Karol is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Dennis) Cline of Decorah; son Ron (Nelly) Sersland of Reedsburg, Wisconsin; Grandchildren: Jason (Joana) Cline of La Crescent, Minnesota, Kevin (Mariselle) Cline of Urbandale, Iowa, Nathan Cline of Decorah, Bailey Sersland of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, Rachel and Jaclyn Sersland of California; step-grandchildren Eric and Karen Taylor; great grandchildren: Jazmine, Jazlynn, Braylen, Isla and Charlie Cline; step great grandchildren, Lacey and Luke Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, 1725 Washington Prairie Road, Decorah, IA 52101 or Winneshiek County 4-H, c/o Winneshiek County Extension, 325B Washington St, Decorah, IA 52101.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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