General Information
Full Name: Carol W. Riddle-Kreuser
Date of Birth: October 29, 1930
Date of Death: October 18, 2013
Carol’s life story
Carol W. Riddle-Kreuser
The early evening of Friday, October 18, 2013, Carol Kreuser entered the loving arms of God, at the age 82. Her devoted and loving family was present at Carol’s bedside as she passed away peacefully at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, MN. The family will greet guests at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake on Tuesday, October 22, from 3-8 pm and on Wednesday starting at 9:30 am, with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Father John Lapensky will preside. Carol will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Shorewood, MN, next to her first husband, Ralph Riddle, Jr.
Carol Jean Williamson was born on Wednesday, October 29, 1930 in West Monroe, LA. Eugene H. and Clara (Mitchell) Williamson proudly announced the birth of their only child and proclaiming their family was now complete. The hallmarks of Carol’s life, which her parents taught her, were the importance of Faith, Family and Home. Along with her love for people, those hallmarks guided her throughout her life.
Faith was as important as breathing. Raised in the Methodist faith, Carol was always involved in church life, especially the Stephens Ministry. Carol once quoted, “I don’t know how anyone can proceed confidently through life, without a deep and abiding faith in God and in seeking His help. She lived her life to the fullest, knowing God was walking right beside her. Later in life, she professed her devotion to the Catholic faith.
Family, especially extended family was very important throughout Carol’s life. On Sunday, December 23, 1951, Carol married Ralph “Zeke” Moody Riddle, Jr., at First Christian Church in Monroe, LA. Over the years, they were blessed with five children, Mike, Julie, Charlie, Jan and Mark. As a family they enjoyed camping, visiting relatives and fishing – especially on the lakes of Minnesota! On January 15, 1991, Ralph passed away. Carol was alone for 11 years until meeting Clemens “Clem” Kreuser. On January 26, 2002, they were married at the United Methodist Church in Prior Lake, MN. She welcomed 9 additional children and 23 grandchildren into her family. Carol and Clem enjoyed traveling around the world, fishing, gardening and watching the sunsets on Spring Lake.
Home was the center of faith and family. It is where Carol’s life was lived. As a young girl, Carol’s love for music, which she passed on to her children, began with playing the flute in fifth grade. Excelling at academics, she was the involved in the newspaper, yearbook, editor and most importantly band. Carol ranked second in a class of 260 from Ouachita Parish High School in 1948 in Monroe, LA. She earned a BA of Teaching from Louisiana Tech University in 1952 and taught children for many years to come. Later in life, the home is where Carol welcomed her family, where they celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and just being together. She loved her new home on Spring Lake where she enjoyed watching the grandchildren fish and swim in the lake, and bringing two families together as one large happy family.
Carol Jean Williamson Riddle-Kreuser, a woman of very strong faith, who loved to be surrounded by family and friends. She was kind, generous and would do anything for anyone.
Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Carol, husband, Clem; children, Michael (fiancée Jean Egenberger) Riddle, Julie (Dale) Menten, Charlie (Lani Jacobs) Riddle, Jan (Duane) Capps, Mark (Audrey) Riddle, Jean Kreuser, Don (Lorrie) Kreuser, Carolyn (Jim) Mead, Barb (Mark) Berger, Joe (Lisa) Kreuser, Bev (Lane) Farnquist, Mary (Donny) Fahrenkamp, Lois (Tom) Lambrecht, Sue (Tim) Hanson; 31 grandchildren; 21 plus great-grandchildren; other relatives and devoted friends.
Carol was welcomed into heaven by husband, Ralph Moody Riddle Jr; parents, Eugene and Clara Williamson; daughter-in-law; Becky Riddle; mother-in-law, Agnes Woods Riddle; and grandson, Mason Farnquist. Pall bearers for Carol will be her grandsons. Patrick Riddle, Nathan Riddle, Josh Kreuser, Clem Berger, Doug Mead, Nick Mead, Brian Kreuser, Andy Kreuser, Mike Farnquist, Travis Fahrenkamp, Dustin Lambrecht, Dan Hanson, Zach Hanson and Malinda Fahrenkamp.
Memorials preferred and will be distributed in Carol’s memory by the family.
The Kreuser family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When: Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 3:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Avenue SE
Prior Lake, MN
Also visititation at church Wednesday 9:30-11:00 AM
Service Information
When: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 11:00 AM
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluith Ave. SE
Prior Lake, MN
Interment
Resurection Cemetery
Shorewood, MN
