Carol Touhey

Carol Touhey, age 77, of St. James, died on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System-St. James. Funeral services will be 1:00pm, Friday, February 18, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in St. James with Rev. Andy Hermodson-Olsen and Rev. Matthew Seegert officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in St. James. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 4-7pm and on Friday one hour before services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church or District 840 Foundation both in St. James. Carol Ann (Knutson) Touhey passed away from pancreatic cancer on February 13, 2022, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Carol was born on July 30, 1944, in Viborg, South Dakota, to Alvern and Agnes (Knudson) Knutson. She loved being a "farm girl" and sharing adventures with her older sister, Karen, and younger brother, Todd. She attended Bethany Lutheran Church (Hurley, SD) and graduated from Hurley (SD) High School in 1962, and went on to Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD), where she earned a B.A. in 1966 in English and sociology. In 1985 she earned a master's degree in special education from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Moving to St. James in the fall of 1966, Carol became an English teacher in the junior high. Over the years, she taught at all school levels in the areas of English and special education, while taking several years off to raise her children. She finished her career with a total of 21 years in teaching. After retirement she taught an additional five years in the adult education program. Carol met James Touhey in 1966 when she came to St. James, and they married on June 17, 1967, in Sioux Falls, SD. They had three children - Kate, Elizabeth and Jeff - and embarked on many adventures as a family, spending lots of time at their cabin and taking long road trips throughout the country during summer breaks. Jim passed away in 2007 after a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis, and Carol served as his caretaker for many years. At a Hurley High School class reunion, Carol and Larry Hansen reunited. They stated their commitment vows with Pastor Martin Overson on Nov. 11, 2011, and enjoyed traveling and spending time at their home in Tubac, AZ. Carol was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her four grandchildren often stayed with her for extended "Grammie camp" and learned how to make lefse and roll kringla. She instilled a sense of fun and an emphasis on kindness that will live forward through them. An active member of First Lutheran Church, Carol took part in many committees and projects, and thoroughly appreciated her church family. She was also a proud co-founder of the District 840 Foundation and involved in American Association of University Women (AAUW). Carol enjoyed spending time with friends and family, traveling, reading, sewing and gardening. Carol is survived by Larry Hansen; daughter Kate (Jeremy) Stahl and grandchildren Natalia and Carter; daughter Elizabeth (Howie) Gilles and grandchildren Anna and Jimmy; and son Jeff. She is also survived by her sister Karen (Gary) Hansen and their children Travis (Heidi) Hansen; Trina (Andy) Merideth; and Trevor (Mary) Hansen and seven great-nieces and nephews; as well as her brother Todd (Sandy) Knutson and their children Kelsey (Kevin) Weber; Kayla and Jacob, and a great-nephew. Further survived by sisters-in-law Nadine Touhey, Vonnie Touhey and Gayleen Touhey, aunt Pauline Buckstead and numerous cousins and many close friends. Carol was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents Alvern and Agnes; cousin Patricia Knutson; sister-in-law Patricia Konold; brothers-in-law Duane Touhey, Bernard Touhey and Vern Konold; and numerous aunts and uncles. She wanted to express her particular gratitude to Larry, for his tireless and selfless care from the moment of her diagnosis; as well as the doctors, nurses and other experts at the Mayo Clinic and the amazing "hospice angels." Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, February 17, 2022 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Friday, February 18, 2022 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 1:00 pm Friday, February 18, 2022 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081