Carol Manbeck
December 7, 1951 ~ October 21, 2025
Born in:
Portland , North Dakota
Resided in:
Lakota, North Dakota
Carol Elizabeth (Moen) Manbeck, 73, of Lakota, ND, passed away October 21, 2025, in Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND, with family at her side. Carol fought a brave and uncomplaining fight with cancer.
She was born December 7, 1951, to Elroy and Eunice (Holkesvig) Moen, Portland, ND, and graduated with an 11-student class from Portland High School in 1969. Carol went on to Pharmacy School at NDSU in Fargo, graduating in 1973.
She married Douglas G. Manbeck on November 29, 1974, at Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland.
Her career as a licensed pharmacist spanned nearly 50 years, most of them at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND, where she helped develop their hospice program.
Carol is survived by her husband, Doug, and two sisters, Eileen Hillesland, Northwood, ND, and Joanne Monson, Bismarck, ND; nephew Aaron Hillesland, Northwood, his daughter Kali (Jake) Roessler and their children Evelyn and Eli; nieces Laura (Hillesland) Wang, Stillwater, MN; Valerie Monson, Fargo, Rachelle Monson, Fargo, and Katie Monson, Fargo; and sister-in-law Eileen Karp, Teaneck, NJ. She was predeceased by her parents and brother, Kenneth Moen.
At her request, no formal services are scheduled. Cremation has occurred, with arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Memorials are suggested to hospice and food pantries.
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The North Dakota Board of Pharmacy sends their condolences to the family.
My condolences to Doug and Carol’s family on Carol’s passing. Carol was my babysitter when I was little rug rat, I can still recall waiting for her to come down the street to our house, she was so much fun! Growing up in small town America truly was a blessing, Carol and Elroy and Eunice were are part of that as was the whole Moen family, along with the Fuglebergs. Wonderful folks, great neighbors, so thankful to have had them in my life.
Carol and Doug hosted the ultimate holiday gatherings we loved as kids & cousins. We knew Carol only as the funniest, coolest, most mellow aunt we had. She and Doug spoiled the crap out of us, and not so much with things, but with experiences. In the evenings, they’d happily take our song requests and play all the music we liked, cranked as loud as the speakers would go, meticulously cleaning each LP during breaks. The first time I heard the entire album, Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Tusk’, was at Carol’s insistence. I think I was nine. She was delighted to hear that we both loved the same band. So she stood up, instantly found the record in their collection, dropped the needle, and then we relaxed on the leather sofa for an hour while my young brain exploded. She had a vast and varied taste in music that Doug shared with her … and no parents of ours were listening to much ZZ Top or Blondie, I can tell you that. She bought me Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ on cassette one Christmas, and later, at 13, I was lucky to spend a week with them in summer 1986. Before I arrived, they had taken time to set up concert-quality Bose speakers for me, on TV trays in the spare bedroom where I slept, and I was welcome and encouraged to play my cassettes at all hours, as loud as I wanted. Yeah. She was that cool.
As an adult, I was lucky to spend a lot of time alone with her, tending to my grandparents as they aged in assisted living in Fargo. She had the kind of soothing presence that could set a roomful of people at ease. When our loved ones are in a transition, it can be hard not to collect worries and even dream up new ones. Somehow Carol could quiet the ruckus with just a sentence or two in her lilting, Moen-mellow tone. Then she’d top it with a sweetly delivered wisecrack, and you’d forget what the hell you were worried about.
I am so grateful for having her as my auntie, grateful that we were given the chance to say goodbye and ‘I love you’ before she died, and thankful for the wonderful staff at Sanford Hospice House. Thank you, Boulger, for this page, and thank you, visitors, for sharing.
thoughtful, & authentic woman! I am so lucky to have enjoyed several magical holidays at Doug & Carol’s home! My first Christmas of ‘84, I was luxuriously bathed in their turkey roaster! I get reminded every year!
We were always greeted by their dog Rusty & cat Blackie for many years following. As the youngest child with no pets; the energy, space, & fun she provided will always stay with me & built my earliest memories of Christmas Joy!
She made us all feel like royalty…the only adult who would just put on a swimsuit & go float in the pool or hot tub with me at hotels! I idolized her pink bathroom with plush pink rugs; her fearlessness to just jump on a Harley, throw her thick dark hair back, forget makeup, & just be herself! She was indeed put on this earth to heal others. I miss you & love you Carol! 💓🙏😇