Carol Jean Klimpel, 71, longtime grocery store operator in Sawyer, passed away, Friday, November 27, 2015, with her loving family by her side, in a Minot hospital.

Carol was born June 14, 1944, in Minot, ND to Lawrence and Margaret (White) Tofteland. She was raised in Antler through second grade and then moved with her family to Sawyer, ND. She was a participant in high school plays and was honored by the student body as homecoming queen, the first of three generations of homecoming queens at Sawyer High School.

Carol was united in marriage to Lynton Klimpel on August 25, 1962 at Concordia Lutheran Parsonage in Benedict in a double ceremony with Larry and Eileen Tofteland. They briefly lived in Stanley and then moved to Minot for a time before settling back to her hometown of Sawyer in 1973.

Throughout the years, Carol worked in a variety of capacities at First National Bank, Northern Auction and the Labor Temple, all of Minot. In conjunction with her full-time positions she also served the area as a Tupperware Dealer. She found her niche back in Sawyer with the purchase of the Sawyer Grocery Store in 1986. She owned and operated this vital business for the next 28 years, providing for the school kids and members of the community on a daily basis.

Carol was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Sawyer, Sawyer Senior Citizen's, and a lifetime member of the Eagle's Auxiliary of Minot. She enjoyed bingo, darts, and was an avid bowler in a Velva league for many years. She liked bird-watching, gardening, and country drives with family. She also had a fondness for music boxes, hummingbirds, and Mickey Gilley music. Carol will be missed for all the qualities that made her a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. We were blessed with so many memories and will forever cherish them.

Carol's family includes her loving husband of 53 years, Lynton, Sawyer; daughter, Laurie (Silas) Harris, Sawyer, and son, Corey (Pam Colby) Klimpel, Voltaire; granddaughter, Jamie (Shawn Williamson) Harris, Minot; sister, Judy (Clayton) Brevig, Sawyer; brothers, Jerry (Sharon) Tofteland, Benedict, Jim (Kathy) Tofteland, Minot, and Don (Deb) Tofteland, Mandan; stepsisters, Gayle Bischke, Vickie Kerzman, Lynne (Fernando) Molina; stepbrothers, Gary Wills, Keith Wills; sisters-in-law, Eileen Tofteland, Carlene Thiese; brothers-in-law, Doyle (Ila) Klimpel, Gaylon (Evelyn) Klimpel and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her baby son, Clifford, father, Lawrence Tofteland, mother, Margaret Wills, stepfather, Ralph Wills, brother, Larry Tofteland, and sisters Mary Jane Tofteland, and Darlene Tofteland.

Funeral Service: 2:00 Thursday, December 3, 2015 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home.