Katherine Carolina Thiessen

Katherine Carolina Thiessen, 74 of Devils Lake, ND died peacefully with her daughter and friends at her side on Friday, July 24, 2009 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. Mass of Christian Burial for Carolina will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Charles Leute, O.P. will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church in the Mother Theresa of Calcutta Hall one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Carolina will be Gordon Tostenson, Don Sowatzki, R.Glenn Salisbury, Michael Steffan, Jerome Hoffart, Gayle Hovdeness and Alvin Schroeder. Honorary Bearers will be all of Carolina’s friends in attendance. Reading the Scriptures will be Randy Kraft. Gift Bearers will be Jennie Pulst, Fred and Ann Bingham Music will be provided by Marla Luehring and Patty Cote. Katherine, the daughter of Michael J. and Katherine (Glatt) Steffan was born on August 25, 1934 in Devils Lake where she was reared, educated and lived her entire life. She attended Washington Elementary School, St. Mary’s Academy and Devils Lake Central High School. Upon the death of her parents in 1957, she raised her youngest sister, Josephine. While working at Lake Theater, Carolina met her future husband, Walter P. Thiessen. They were united in marriage on November 28, 1961 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Throughout her life, Carolina worked at various places, including, Gaspard Office Supply, Westside Grocery, which was owned by her brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Mabel Steffan, Kelly’s Apparel, the Eagles Club and the Artclare Motel. She enjoyed many activities, especially playing cards, bingo, listening to music and following her daughter in her many activities. Carolina was a devoted and loving wife and mother after the birth of their daughter, Katherine Ann on April 27, 1966. She was a woman of strong faith and love for her God and her family. Though our hearts ache, we know she rests in God’s eternal peace. Carolina is survived by her loving daughter, Kathy of Devils Lake; Brothers: Nick Steffan and his wife, Mary Lou of St. Paul, MN~Peter Steffan and his wife, Florence of Superior, WI~Tom Steffan and his wife, Katie of Naples, FL; Sisters: Rose Lindorff of Lake Havasu City, AZ~Josephine Johnston of Lakewood, CO~Lugarda Nelson and Anna Jones both of Superior, WI; Sisters-In-Law: Frances Steffan of Rockford, IL~Vivian Wimer and her husband, Roy of Lawton, ND; Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Carolina was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Walter on July 18, 2003; sister, Marie Gaydos in 1989; brothers, Michael J. Steffan Jr. in 1995, Paul Steffan in 1992 and an infant brother, Adam.