Carol Dahlen

Carol Dahlen, 82, of Ashby, Minnesota, went to be with Jesus on August 31st, 2026, at the Ashby Living Center with family by her side.  There will be a prayer service and visitation in her honor at Peace Lutheran Church of Ashby on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., with the prayer service starting at 4 p.m.  Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church of Ashby.  Burial will take place at Pelican Lake Cemetery in Ashby.  Please make memorials to the Ashby Legacy Fund or Peace Lutheran Church of Ashby.

Carol Ann Loken was born to Olaf and Dora (Johnson) Loken February 17th, 1944 in Hader, Minnesota. She was nine years younger than her older sister Phyllis and therefore the baby of the family. She was very close to her dad as he would take her to places when he was working, like the sales barn in St.Paul or to the Hader Store for an orange soda. Her dad called her “Toots”, and she lost him at the tender age of thirteen. That nickname has stuck throughout her life. When she was eighteen, her mom married Tommy Thompson, and she said he was a great man who helped her through college and bought her a car to go back and forth.

Carol attended a rural country school and graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1961. She was homecoming queen her senior year, and a cheerleader who loved attending all sports activities from a young age. She credited her sister Phyllis to taking her everywhere. She always said Phyllis was so good to her. At the time only boys played competitive ball games. If Carol could have played basketball, she would have. After high school she furthered her education at Mankato State University majoring in physical education and business.

She met the love of her life, Raymond Dahlen, at a New Years Day dance in 1966. She always joked that he asked all of her friends to dance before her. They began dating and were married on August 27th, 1966.

They started their teaching careers together at Ellsworth, Minnesota that fall. Carol taught until 1968 when their daughter, Kris, was born. She transitioned to a homemaker after her birth, which couldn’t have fit her more perfectly.

Carol was an active mom, wanting her children to be doing something physical most of the time. She would build obstacle courses and forts in the house for her children. She was an avid tennis player, so all of her children learned to play tennis. She loved to ride bike and hit fly balls to her children and grandchildren. We often said you can take the physical education teacher out of the classroom, but can’t take the physical education out of the teacher. She was the mom and grandma who had bats, rackets, balls, gloves, bases and even a scorecard in the trunk of her car in case her children/grandchildren and their friends wanted to play a ball game! She was hitting fly balls and tossing strikes well into her seventies.

Carol was an excellent baker. Her children would typically be welcomed with the smell of fresh buns when they came home from school. There was no shortage of chocolate chip cookies or scotcheroos. Kids who grew up in Ashby in the 80’s know this well. She welcomed so many of her children’s friends into her home, and they experienced her baking skills every time. She was also the “fun” aunt, spending time with her nieces and nephews, creating bonds with them that have lasted a lifetime.

Carol supported her grandchildren in an unmatched fashion. She attended every event they were in from sporting events, the arts, to school programs. There was no place she wouldn’t travel to be a spectator in their lives. She even was awarded Fan of the Year in Ashby as a faithful supporter of the Arrows!

Carol was the definition of kind. She was always interested in others and made people feel cared about in a very personal way. Everyone walked away from a conversation with Carol feeling better about themselves and with a little lighter step in their feet. She was a woman of faith and others could see that through her words and actions. She was committed to service in her church. She was a Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Teacher, and was chosen by confirmation students as a faith partner countless times. She brought so many of her baked goods to Bazaars to help fundraise for the church. She was an involved WINGS leader for the youth in the community. Many events were held at “The Farm” where the children could explore and go on hay rides. Carol would have treats for the children with the mainstays of turkey sandwiches made with Carol’s buns and bars of all varieties. No child went home hungry!

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32

Carol is survived by her children, Mike and Karen Dahlen, Kris and Chris Roley, daughter in law, Jody Dahlen. Her grandchildren: Britney (Nick)Jones, Meg (Steaphan) Downer, Ethan and Mya Roley, Aaron, Halle, and Kellen Dahlen. Great grandchildren: Destiney (Frankie) Buse, Adrian Dahlen, Kathryn Dahlen, Koralie Champagne, and Lenann Downer.

Waiting for her in heaven are her husband, of almost 60 years, Raymond, her two sons, Jason and Jeffrey, grandson Joshua, her parents, Olaf and Dora, siblings, Irene, Russell, and Phyllis, and many in-laws, and nephews.

Blessed be the memory of Carol A. Dahlen.