Carolyn R. Horst

Carolyn R. Horst, 85, of Brandon, MN, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Alomere Health in Alexandria, MN. A Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Barrett, MN.

 Carolyn Ruby was born on July 18, 1941, in Elbow Lake, MN, the daughter of Walter and Opal (Olson) Schneeberger. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake. Carolyn graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1959. After graduation, she worked at the First National Bank in Elbow Lake as a bank teller where she eventually met her husband, Rodney Horst.

 On December 19, 1964 she married Rodney Horst at Christ Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake. To this union came two children, Melody and Brian. After marriage, Carolyn was a dedicated farm wife and mother through the many years on the family farm in North Ottawa Township. 

 Carolyn’s service to God was strong and as a talented musician, she dedicated many years as an organist at Christ Lutheran Church where she also served in the Ladies Aide or at the Barrett Care Center for the residents. She enjoyed watching wildlife such as her birds and deer at the farm. Carolyn was a history buff and knew all the history of her family from where they came from to where they had been. In her younger years, she enjoyed snowmobiling and motorcycle trips which included trips to Duluth and Yellowstone. Many camping and road trips with children and friends created many unforgettable memories. She continued to travel later in life by spending the month of February in Lake Havasu, AZ, bus trips to Washington DC and Branson and a memorable 80th birthday trip to Medora. Some other notable trips were an Alaskan cruise and fall trip to Germany. Carolyn enjoyed sunsets at the lake and camping at Tipsinah Mounds, which she and Rodney did for many years. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy and she tried to make it to any extra curricular activity of theirs that she could. Carolyn’s infectious smile, positive attitude and always making sure the Norwegian holiday traditional treats were made, will be missed.

 She is survived by her husband, Rodney Horst of Brandon; daughter, Melody (Joel) Fjestad of Elbow Lake and son, Brian Horst of St. Paul, MN; three grandchildren, Crystal (Aaron), Bridget (Gibb) and Zachary; five great grandchildren, Morgun, Easton, Jackson, Axel and Brooks, along with numerous family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Opal Schneeberger; and brothers, Wayne and Allen Schneeberger.

 Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake.