Carol Ann Klosterbuer Zwaan passed away peacefully with the love of her life, Henry faithfully by her side, on Sunday, January 17th, 2021 at the age of 77 years, 1 month and 22 days.
Carol was born on November 26, 1943 in Luverne, MN to her parents, Mildred & Klosterbuer. She was the only daughter and joined a family of 2 brothers, Jerry Dean, & Duane Darrell & finally a third brother Robert Lowell (Bob), was born to this family. All four children grew up on the home farm south of AshCreek, MN and went to a one-room schoolhouse, District #1, close to the family farm.
Carol Ann married the only love of her life, Henry Dale Zwaan, on March 16, 1962 at the State-Line Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. The reception was in Rock Rapids, IA. It was the winter of all winters with barely open roads, but still everyone came to their celebration. Carol was 18 years old and Henry was 20, having known each other for 3 years.
Carol & Henry farmed & raised their children together, mostly on the farm 7 miles south of Luverne. She helped as much as she could, helping Henry with chores, bringing lunches and doing some field work, driving truck & just running for whatever he needed in those earlier years.
Their family consists of: Melanie (Doug) Mensing, Monte (Staci) Zwaan, Mandel (Laura) Zwaan & Michelle (Scott) Mark. She was given 11 grandchildren, Zachary, MacKenzi (TJ), Chazni, Megan (Blake), Merecie, Mitchell, Emary, Zoey, Syndal, Jaxon & Lilian. She also given three great grandchildren, Dalton, Leanna, and Lennon. Her family was, by far, her greatest joy.
Carol got her Elementary Education degree in 1988, graduating from Augustana College, Magna Cum Laude. She then taught for a short time at Sioux Falls Christian in Sioux Falls, SD. She decided to go back to school during the lean years of farming. Unfortunately it was finally when she had her hip surgery and 2 heart attacks, that she had to slow down a lot. Before those years she was very active in riding horses, flower gardening, antiques, her music and more recently reading, writing and spending time with friends in Arizona! She sang and played her guitar for many weddings, funerals and many musical occasions, sometimes just playing around the bonfire. She especially liked Country music and harmony. Throughout her life she sang with four different groups. She also organized the Tri-State Town & Country Garden club and the friends of Antiques Club. They were such a joy to her also.
Henry & Carol attended State Line Presbyterian church for 15 years, ARC in Luverne for 25 years, then attending & helping in New Life Celebration Church in Luverne, MN & Heart Cry Church in Arizona. Carol was involved in serving in many ways in State Line Presbyterian and ARC in Luverne.
She has written eleven children’s books – one for each of her grandchildren and one western devotional booklet appropriate for all. The children’s series is entitled: The Cousins. She has also written one patriotic gospel song.
Henry and Carol were in the process of making bittersweet plans to move off the farm and into Luverne, in 2021. However, unfortunately those plans were not meant to be. Carol always liked the challenge of feathering their nest and Henry always faced those challenges with grit and determination! What a gentleman he was and still is!!
Carol’s greatest personal belief was her faith in the Lord. Her greatest personal time and her devotions, studying the Word, talking to her Lord, giving thanks and praying for ALL her family and friends. She also picked a favorite Promise every day to remember God’s mercy. All her prayer books were her own personal accounting. The Lord heard all her prayers. He helped her solve many of her problems and was with her through many difficult times. She is hoping that these words would share their time with the Lord as well. IT IS PRICELESS!
She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Mildred Klosterbuer, brother Jerry Klosterbuer and grandson Zachary Zwaan.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 30th at American Reformed Church, 304 North Fairview Drive, Luverne, Minnesota. Family will greet friends for a visitation at 2:00pm, followed by a memorial service at 3:00pm.
In the sweet bye & bye
We shall meet on that beautiful shore,
In the sweet bye & bye
We shall meet on that beautiful shore!