Carol J. Simanski

Carol Jean Simanski, 87, of Red Wing, died Monday, February 19, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus in Rochester.  She was born August 29, 1936, in Morristown, Minnesota, to Sylvester and Gertrude (Thompson) Karsten.  She grew up on the family farm and attended schools in the area, graduating from Morristown High School.  She moved to Rochester and worked at St. Mary’s Hospital before meeting her husband, Donald Simanski.  The two were married on Oct. 6, 1956, in Morristown and they made their home in Red Wing and in 1959 they bought a home in rural Hay Creek where they raised their family. She worked at the Red Wing Health Center as a nursing assistant for several years.   Carol was a member of United Lutheran Church and the Red Wing Collectors Society.  Together she and Donald enjoyed traveling.  After Donald passed away in 2011, Carol stayed active with her friends, whether it was with their card club, cookie cutter club or RW Singles group, she enjoyed being with her friends.  Carol enjoyed garage sales, shopping and picnics in the park and she was an excellent cook, baker and canner.  Her family will remember the smell of her delicious homemade buns filling the kitchen and the special spin she’d put in her chili (egg noodles). 

Carol is survived by 3 children and their families: Keith (Deb) Simanski, Patrick (Mayra Hernandez) and Thomas (Courtney), Brooklyn and Maisie.
Kevin (Margaret) Simanski, Christopher (Sally), Kellan, Keira and Kolten, Katie (Ryan) Hilgers, Estella, Sadie, Griffin and Remy, Kelsey (Jake) Perkins, Aria and Aaron. Brenda Simanski Wicks, April (Swomitra) Mohanty, Alethea and Shama, Joshua Wicks and Jacob Wicks. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy (Larry) Morrison and nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; brother, George; sister, Joyce Muehlen; great-granddaughter, Kenzie Simanski and Carol’s beloved cat, Coco.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at United Lutheran Church with Reverend Justin Boeding officiating.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.   Burial was at Burnside Cemetery.   Memorials are preferred to the church, River Bluff Humane Society, a local food shelf of your choice or RW Flower Basket Fund.  Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.  The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the caregivers of Mayo Hospice and Methodist Campus.