CAROL JEAN McLAURIN

Carol Jean McLaurin, of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at her home in the loving care of family and friends.  She was 58.   Funeral Services for Carol will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Jamie Desai officiating.  Carol will be laid to rest in the Devils Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, March 26th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.  Carol, daughter of Roderick N. and Eula (McKenna) Iverson was born on August 27, 1955 in Crosby, MN.  She moved with the family to Billy Creek, Wyoming where she was raised and attended school.  In 1970 the family moved to Devils Lake and Carol graduated from Devils Lake Central High School with the class of 1973.  Carol was united in marriage to John A. McLaurin on May 17, 1972 at the First United Methodist Church in Devils Lake where Carol was a member. They established their home here and lived, worked and raised their family.   Carol was employed with Western State Bank for nineteen years.  For the past 24 years and at the time of her death, Carol was the Transportation Coordinator and the Purchasing Clerk for the Devils Lake Public School System.   Carol’s passions were horses and the outdoors.  She would never miss a chance to go riding and tried to make an annual trip to Wyoming to horseback ride in the mountains.  If she was outdoors and not riding, Carol was busy gardening or enjoying the beauty of nature. Her number one priority was always her family.  She was always the greatest fan and supporter of her children and grandchildren in their activities and was always there watching and encouraging them in all their endeavors.  She never tired of spending time with and caring for her grandchildren.  Carol was an active and devoted member of the Lake Region Rodeo Association for 30 years.  She was instrumental in orchestrating and securing the Rodeo Finals each year.  It was an event that was very near and dear to her heart.   She was also an active member of the Fort Totten Trail Riders. We will miss our beloved Carol and wish for her only “Happy Trails.”  Carol is survived by her husband, John; son, John R. McLaurin and his wife Laura, grandchildren Kiya, Gabrielle, Emily and Alexander "AJ" of Devils Lake; son Travis McLaurin and his wife Jill, granddaughter Taylor of Fargo, ND; daughter Missy Abrahamson her husband Travis, grandchildren Brina, Braden and Ashlyn also of Devils Lake; mother Eula Iverson of New Rockford, ND; sister Carla (Terry) Forde of Mandan, ND; brother Gary (Mary Ann) Iverson of Hattiesburg, MS; mother-in-law Pam McLaurin also of Fargo; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her father, Roderick Iverson; grandparents, Ross and Elise McKenna and Dolina Iverson Gran; fathers-in-law John F. McLaurin and James “Bud” McLaurin.   The family will be establishing a Lake Region State College Scholarship Fund in memory of Carol.  Memorials for Carol may be directed to that fund.