Carol Dianne Miller

Carol Dianne (Merrigan) Miller was born in Fargo, North Dakota on October 7th, 1940. She was the eldest child of Clinton and Grace (Lillian) Merrigan. She loved being a big sister to her younger brother, Ronald (Ron), and they shared many adventures together. Carol was deeply impacted by the sudden and unexpected loss of Ron, and she continued to miss him until the day she died. Carol died on September 27th, 2022, at age 81 at Fair Oaks Lodge nursing home in Wadena, Minnesota. She cared most about her family, faith, friendships, and living life to the fullest.

In early adulthood, Carol was married to Kenneth Olson. She graduated from Mapleton High School in 1958. Later in life, Carol remarried Friedrich Miller and raised their children together at their family farm in Durbin, North Dakota. Besides her role as a mother and homemaker, Carol had several other jobs to support her family including being a musician, nurse’s aide, DJ, cake decorator, bookkeeper, and restaurant owner. She greatly enjoyed being a musician in multiple different bands including Carol’s Kats, Carol and the Country, and Movin’ On. Music always brought a smile to Carol’s face and was her favorite way to celebrate and grieve alike. She always said music was the main thing that kept her feeling “alive” even as she aged and was not able to do some of the things she used to enjoy.

Carol traveled and lived many different places over the years. She could make a “home” almost anywhere and lived in Mapleton, North Dakota; Havre, Montana; Casselton, North Dakota; Durbin, North Dakota; Fargo, North Dakota; Horace, North Dakota; New York Mills, Minnesota with granddaughter Brittnee; and lastly in Perham, Minnesota with her eldest daughter Kimberly.

Carol is survived by her children: Kimberly Wright, Karla Jo (Todd) McDougal, Kari (Kenny) Green, and Chad (Shannon) Miller. She enjoyed loving and watching her many grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren grow, including Tony (Sarah) Hersch, Ashlee (Richard) Shipman, Brittnee (Caleb) Monson, James (Cassie) Hersch, Michael (Desiree) Gadd, Joseph Gadd, Kaity McDougal (Jack), Zach Miller, and Janikka Miller. Carol is also survived by her long-time partner Mitch Erbstoesser. Carol was also close with her sister-in-law Margaret (Larry) Hoffmann, nephews Steve (Mirna) Merrigan, Brent (Jolene) Merrigan, and nieces Marty Jo (Tom) Byers, and Jill (Aaron) Wendel.

Carol loved playing cards, baking, singing, playing/listening to music, and traveling to new places. Carol never missed an opportunity to celebrate a birthday and send a birthday wish through song. Carol cherished her pets over the years including her most recent companion, Lacey Lu that she rescued from a local shelter. Lacey was a perfect fit for Carol.

Carol had many family and friend relationships that were life-long. Once you met Carol, you wouldn’t be able to forget her. She had an energetic and welcoming presence that could leave anyone feeling like a part of “her family.” Carol never seemed to shy away from helping those in times of need. She always had more room in her heart to love others. This had to be her spiritual gift. Carol helped to encourage others in their relationship with God, specifically though her role as the children’s music director and bible schoolteacher at Canaan Moravian Church in Davenport, North Dakota. Carol felt a deep sense of community and spirituality through this church and often shared memories of her time spent there.

Words cannot capture the joy and light that Carol brought to this world, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She lived a life of service to others and was grateful for each day she was granted. No matter the hardship, Carol could find a reason to smile and count her blessings, including all of you.