Carol M. (Sommers) Oltmans, of Jordan, passed away on September 5, 2015 at the age of 79. There will be a gathering of family and friends on Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Jordan. Carol’s Celebration of Life Service is Friday, September 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at Hope Lutheran Church in Jordan. Reverend Steven Thompson will preside, and Austin Hennen, Steve Sommers, Dennis Sommers, Mark Sommers, Trevor Kanewischer, Aaron Kanewischer, Matt Sleen and Jayden Raduenz (honorary) will act as Carol’s pall bearers. Carol will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at Spirit Hill Cemetery in Jordan.
On September 3, 1936 Edward and Ella (Kroeger) Sommers celebrated the birth of their baby girl, Carol Marie. She was born and raised in Waseca, and loved growing up with her siblings, Evelyn, Marvin and Melvin. When Carol was a teenager her family moved from their farm into town. This was a big change for Carol, but she eventually embraced it.
After graduating from Waseca High School, Carol attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. While at Wartburg, Carol met a handsome young man named Delmer Oltmans. They hit it off immediately and their love quickly blossomed.
Before their wedding, Del was drafted and would be stationed overseas. Carol and Del exchanged wedding vows at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waseca on April 8, 1956. Del left for Germany shortly after the wedding, and Carol joined him a few months later. They enjoyed their stint in Germany, but returned to the U. S. on May 1, 1958 once Del’s military commitment was complete.
During the next 20 years they lived in several cities and were soon blessed with a wonderful daughter, Barb, in 1971. They eventually settled in Jordan, Minnesota in 1978. Throughout the years, Del and Carol enjoyed taking Barb on family road trips. They traveled all over the state and to many destinations throughout the country as well. Carol always loved traveling and the adventures that came along with it. Later in life she made a trip back to Germany with her brother Melvin to visit relatives.
Carol was a hard worker. She developed a strong work ethic as a young girl on the family farm, and it followed her throughout her life. For nearly 30 years Carol worked in loan processing for Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services (ASCS). She retired in 1996.
After taking an early retirement, Carol was able to take care of her grandchildren and work part-time at the Scott County Courthouse. She kept beautiful flower gardens and enjoyed baking. She always made sure she had something delicious ready for anyone who would stop by. Carol had many interests throughout her life, but she was most passionate about her family, especially her grandkids. Carol loved spending time with her family, and it was important to her that they were happy and well-cared for.
After many years of battling health issues, Carol passed away peacefully at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Jordan. Her granddaughter Kayla was by her side. Carol was a caring and generous woman who was always thinking of others. She will be remembered as a dedicated wife, loving mother and wonderful grandma.
Carol will be deeply missed by her daughter, Barb (Brent Raduenz) Hennen; grandchildren, Kayla Hennen, Austin Hennen, Jayden Raduenz and Chloe Raduenz; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Sommers and Dolores Sommers. Carol was greeted in Heaven by her husband, Del Oltmans; parents, Edward and Ella Sommers; siblings, Evelyn (John) Kujath, Marvin Sommers and Melvin Sommers.
The Oltmans family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.
