Carol Sommerfeld

Carol June Sommerfeld, 88, of Mahnomen, Minnesota passed away on October 11, 2025, at the Benedictine Living Community.

Carol was born on June 18, 1937 in Bemidji, Minnesota to Clarence Steele and Mildred Neff Steele. Carol met her future husband, Harley Sommerfeld, on a blind date. Although Harley was late for their first date this did not deter Carol. On October 2, 1960 she and Harley were wed at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji, Minnesota. Carol and Harley would spend 45 wonderful years together and have seven children. Carol was an active partner with Harley in running a dairy farm in Wheatland, North Dakota until 1967. Throughout the years she and Harley would operate dairy farms at their farms. In 1972, they moved to Gary, Minnesota to operate their family farm. In 1981, they moved to their family farm east of Mahnomen, Minnesota. This would become their permanent family farm.

Carol graduated from beauty school and worked at the Modern in Ada, Minnesota. She also worked at the Shooting Star Casino day care and Tri-Valley Nursing. Carol was a devoted member of Nee Gon Nee Lutheran Church in Roy Lake. She loved baking, gardening, bird watching, and cheering for the Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Harley Sommerfeld; parents, Clarence and Mildred Steele; brothers, Burton Steele, Chester Steele, Howard Steele, Harold Steele; daughter-in-law, Maria Sommerfeld; son-in-law, Randolph Scott; granddaughter, Kelsie Sommerfeld.

She is survived by her children, Kelly Sommerfeld of Oxford, North Carolina, Sherry Scott of Golden Valley, Minnesota, Todd Sommerfeld (Tu Lynn) of Crookston, Minnesota, Loree Weigel (Dean) of Mora, Minnesota, Lisa (James) Buck of Sunburg, Minnesota, Terri (Gary) Eidenschink of Climax, Minnesota, Bill Sommerfeld of Mahnomen, Minnesota; sister, Betty Mae Frazee; 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Carol's family will celebrate her life with a memorial service on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm.