Carrol Foland

Carrol Foland, age 100, of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Carrol Grace Thorson Anderson Foland spent 100 years living, and loving and caring for her family, friends, and community. She died January 6, 2021 at the Philip Hospital of natural causes with family around her.
Carrol was born October 20, 1920 at her grandparent’s home on the North Fork of the Bad River to Thorval G. and Mary (Jensen) Thorson. Her younger brother, Ned, was born six years later. Carrol grew up in the Philip area, went to school and played with her lifelong friend, Muriel (Ronning) Kjos. She graduated from Philip High School in 1938 and attended Black Hills Teachers College with her cousin, Dottie Rice where they obtained their teacher’s certificate. She returned to Philip and worked under Mrs. Catherine Griffith, the Haakon County Superintendent of Schools. Later she worked for the Philip Bank. On May 2, 1942 she married Wallace Anderson and they moved to a kjhh n number of military bases across the country during his service time. To this union were born two sons: Robert born in 1944 and James born in 1945. Wallace died in a crop-dusting accident in 1950.
Carrol married Vern Foland on September 20, 1953 and to this union were born four children, Mark, Kay, Mary, and Judy. Vern and Carrol lived the remainder of their lives on the Foland Ranch, north of Ottumwa until they moved into Philip in 2004. After a stroke in 2011 she resided at the Silverleaf Assisted Living or the Philip Nursing Home.
Carrol was an involved and active member of her church and community. She was a life-long and faithful member (over 78 years) of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving in all offices. She was the Worthy Matron with Vern, the Worthy Patron when all three daughters were initiated into the OES in 1978. She also served as a Grand Representative in the SD Grand Chapter for several years. Carrol was active in the First Lutheran Church, and a member of ladies’ circles in both Philip and Midland during her life. She and Vern were part of a Lutheran couples Bible study in the Ottumwa area. She was a history enthusiast and enjoyed reading and studying state and local history. Carrol had a love for writing and journalism and wrote news for the Pioneer Review for 50 years, up and through her 90th birthday. She was a founding member and long-time leader of her Extension Club, and active in Farmer’s Union and 4-H with her children. Carrol loved to play cards and spent many years with her bridge club friends enjoying the game. She played a mean game of scrabble with anyone she could find, and her family can attest to her skill with words. She was the organizer and leader when gathering others together. She was an excellent cook and known to all her family for the infamous breakfast pancakes she would make.
Most of all Carrol was kind and loving to those in her life. She worked tirelessly to support and contribute to her children as they grew into adults who thrived. She was tremendously proud of her grandchildren and remembered them for years on their birthdays and at Christmas. She loved unconditionally and had a determined and quiet strength (well quiet most of the time unless she was yelling ‘VEEERN……’ out the back door). She lived a long and exemplary life raising and educating her children, loving and supporting our father and being an example to her friends and church members. Carrol touched many lives and was the spiritual leader of the family. She will be deeply missed, but we know she is at peace.
Carrol is survived by her children: Robert (Sandy) Anderson, James (Kayleen) Anderson, Mark (Karen) Foland, Kay Foland, Mary (Creighton Tevlin) Foland, and Judy (Wayne Yanda) Foland. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Wallace Anderson and Vern Foland; brother, Lawrence Ned Thorson and sister-in-law, Jackie Thorson; daughter-in-law, Dianne Anderson; granddaughter, Sharon Ellwein; and great-grandson, Dalles Brucklacher.
Private family graveside services will be held at the Masonic Cemetery.
A memorial to the Evergreen Chapter #97 of the O.E.S. has been established.
Cards and memorials may be sent to 6815 Riviera Ct. Rapid City, SD 57702.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.