Carol M. Mestad

Carol M. Mestad, 84, of rural Stewartville, MN died Tuesday June 3, 2025, following a lengthy journey with Alzheimer’s Disease at Highview Hills in Lakeville, MN.

Carol Mae Gommels was born on August 10, 1940 in Hayfield, MN to Fred and Helen (Herzog)  Gommels. She grew up in Hayfield and attended Hayfield H.S. Carol was married on October 19, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield to Merlin "Mike" Mestad. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Rochester for 5 years before moving to rural Stewartville where they made their home for nearly 60 years and raised their family. Carol was a homemaker and once her children had started school she cleaned homes for others and was employed at Plants PS in Rochester for a number of years until her retirement. Merlin was employed at IBM and the Olmsted County Highway Department. Carol and Mike moved to Shorewood Senior Living in Rochester in 2020.  Upon Mike's passing in July 2021, Carol moved to Highview Hills in Lakeville, MN.

Carol was a long-time member of East St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bryon, MN, where she served on the Altar Guild, taught Bible school, volunteered with the quilting group, sang in the church choir and was a volunteer with the Lutefisk suppers. Carol and Merlin were avid campers, gardeners and began organic gardening many years ago. They enjoyed traveling the U.S.and had their camper in Hayward Wisconsin for many years.  Carol and Mike also fished Northern MN with family and friends.  Carol was a lover of  purses, shoes, hats and enjoyed collecting many objects to decorate her home.

Carol is survived by 3 daughters and 1 son -  Lynn (Gerald) Margotta, of Farmington, MN; Julie (Craig) Williams of  Maricopa, AZ; Craig Mestad (Robin Brown) of Pierre, SD and Lisa (Vance) Fiegel of Queen Creek, AZ; 6 grandchildren – Samanthia (David) Jensen, Michael Williams, Maran (Andrew) Brown,  Ezekiel “Zeke” Mestad, Tanner Franz, Stephanie Franz and 4 great- grandchildren – Ariel, Greyson, Edwin and Ren; 1 brother-in-law – Daniel Schroeder of Rochester and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Merlin and her  parents - Fred Sr. and Helen Gommels, her brother Fred Gommels Jr. and sisters - Marlys annd Scharlene Schroeder and sister-in-law - Elaine Gommels.

The Mestad Family would like to express a thank you to Highview Hills staff, Vivie staff and Vivie Hospice for the care Carol received while living at HIghview Hiills in Lakeville.

The memorial service for Carol will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday June 25, 2025, at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bryon, Mn with Rev. Paul Thompson officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. A time of visitation for family and friends will be at 10:00 A.M to 11:00A.M. at the church on Wednesday morning. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Carol are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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