Carroll W. Nesseth

Carroll W. Nesseth, age 77, of Decorah, Iowa, died Monday, January 12, 2009 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah following a short illness. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 24, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. Marion Pruitt-Jefferson officiating. Private family inurnment will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah in the spring, with full military honors. A Gathering of Family and friends will begin at 12 Noon on Saturday at the church, one hour before services. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of arrangements. Carroll Wayne Nesseth was born December 26, 1931 at his paternal grandparents' home in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, the son of William H. and Cora L. (Finholt) Nesseth. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1950 and attended Luther College for one year. He served in the U.S. Army for three years during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on January 13, 1954 as Private First Class. He was employed in his uncle's mattress factory for a number of years prior to his employment for 22 years as custodian at Luther College in the Athletic Department. He took early retirement for health reasons in January, 1986. Carroll started his life as a 2 1/2 pound preemie and in his youth he was shy, but grew into a kind, gentle giant. While in school, he was active in baseball and was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church in Decorah and a life member of V.F.W. and Cooties. He especially enjoyed attending as many Decorah High School and Luther College baseball and basketball games as he could. If he was not able to attend, Carroll always tuned into the games on his radio. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and maintained a stat book on many sports. Carroll was loved and revered by his family and friends and loved dogs, especially his dear Oscar. Carroll had been a resident of Aase Haugen Home since June 16, 2008. He enjoyed talking to the residents and staff at Aase Haugen Home and the dog Cooper was a special friend there. He was preceded in death by his father, William H. Nesseth on July 9, 1941 and his mother, Cora L. (Nesseth) Volding on October 24, 2003; his brother, William M. Nesseth on August 20, 2003; his stepfather, Emmet Volding on September 23, 1977; his brother-in-law, Raymond Bolson on March 16, 2004; and one niece, Karen Bolson on January 2, 1992. Carroll is survived by his sister, Marilyn Bolson of Decorah, Iowa; three nieces: Kathi Bolson of Decorah, Iowa, Kristi (Randy) Brooks of Mason City, Iowa and Julie (Ben) Estigoy of Madison Heights, Michigan; one nephew, Mark (Marion) Bolson of Thornton, Colorado; one sister-in-law, Shirley Nesseth of Clawson, Michigan; and by aunts, cousins and numerous extended family. Memorials may be directed to Decorah High School Baseball Field Fund or Luther College Department of Athletics.