Carroll Marie Wahlberg Palrud was born December 25, 1920, in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, to Gust and Hattie (Ring) Wahlberg.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church and graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1938.  After her education she worked as a nurse assisting Dr. Vaaler - Cannon Falls’ town doctor.  She married Oscar Palrud on January 12, 1944, at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran.  Oscar was serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII and Carroll went with him wherever she could, returning to Cannon Falls prior to the birth of their daughter Mary Beth. 

In 1949, Carroll and Oscar began operating the Dairy Bar in Cannon Falls.  In 1964, they sold the Dairy Bar and opened Little Oscar’s Restaurant in Hampton.  Being a “people person” Carroll was well known and comfortable running the restaurant along with Oscar and their children.  They sold and retired in 1983, spending many years thereafter traveling together.  Oscar passed away on March 24, 2007, after 63 years of marriage.

Carroll was a near lifelong member of St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church.  She loved music and from the time she was a teenager she sang in the church choir.  She enjoyed reading, music, playing the piano, and cooking and preparing family and holiday meals - especially Scandinavian smorgasbord.

Survivors include her children and their spouses: Mary Beth and John Bremer of Northfield, Lynn Palrud and David Canfield of Minnetonka, Bob and Judy Palrud of Ranchester, Wyoming, Dawn and Jack Coffey of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Jean and Shawn Page of Minneapolis; 14 grandchildren: Kelly (Rik), Andrew, Diana (Bill), Leif (Mary), Eric, Skip, Kirk, Christopher (Erin), Mary (David), Caroline, Anna, Grace, Joseph and Olaf; 5 great-grandchildren: Grace, Dane, Julia, Nicklas and Claire; 2 sisters-in-law: Ruth Orfield of Towson, Maryland, Alice Lehn of Bloomington;  nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sisters Irene Patton, Gladys Peter and Margaret Skillestad; and her brothers Elmer, Arthur and Merle Wahlberg.

Carroll passed away with her family by her side on Friday evening, February 3, 2012, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center, at the age of 91.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. John E. Quam officiating.  Music will be provided by Cathy Rodland.  Lunch will follow.  Interment will be in Cannon Falls Cemetery.  Casket bearers will be her grandchildren.  Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the funeral.

Arrangements are with Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.  www.northfieldfuneral.com