Carol Jean Renstrom

Carol Jean (Rykyto) Renstrom passed away July 14, 2024 at United Hospital after a long struggle with congestive heart failure and other related illnesses. Carol was born to Henry and Mary Rykyto on December 11, 1942 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up in a very tight-knit family, with her parents and grandparents all living in the same duplex. She was the first grandchild on her mother's (Lunzer) side and her uncles treated her like a little sister. In 1954, when Carol was 11, she was joined by her little sister Shirley. Carol met Dean Renstrom while they were both visiting their parents' cabins near Luck, Wisconsin. Dean proposed at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and they were married on December 8, 1961. They settled first in Minneapolis and then in Roseville, eventually building a house on Mount Ridge Road, where they raised their two boys, Brian and Greg. Carol and Dean enjoyed riding motorcycles, traveling to California to visit Carol's mom and stepfather for extended visits, and spending time with family and friends. They were members of St. Paul Escorts Motorcycle Club, where Carol rode her own motorcycle. Dean passed away suddenly of a heart attack on December 26, 1988, leaving Carol a widow at the young age of 46. She mourned him the rest of her life. After Dean's death, Carol and her Aunt Cathy Lunzer became close friends as Cathy had also recently lost her husband Ed. Carol and Cathy traveled to Hawaii and Europe (among other places), became stock investors, and attended the Microsoft annual meeting together. Carol had various jobs throughout the years, including working for Pillsbury, Dean's Towing, managing the Spur Station and finally working for Brian's company Central Trailer Sales until she retired. She and her son Greg owned and operated Earl's Pizza in Roseville for a few years in the 1990's and she insisted until she died that no pizza was as good as Earl's. One highlight of Carol's life occurred in 2006 when her granddaughter Katie was born, making her a grandmother. Carol, Katie and Uncle Greg went on many adventures together in Katie's early years including balloon festivals, the Science Museum, beekeeping and gardening. In her later years, Carol moved to Wyoming, MN to be near her family, settling in the townhouses on Garden Lane, where she made great friends. She enjoyed their card games every week and was sad to have to move into a senior apartment when her health declined. Carol was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Dean. She is survived by her sons Brian (Nan) of Shoreview and Greg (Liz) of Shafer, granddaughter Katie, sister Shirley Drake of Lucerne, California, several brothers and sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews and her cat Oliver, who she called her "baby" and was most concerned about leaving at the end. Visitation Tuesday July 23rd, 4-7PM at Washburn-McReavy Shoreview Chapel; 515 W. Hwy 96, Shoreview, MN.

Tributes

Carol Jean Renstrom

December 11, 1942 - July 14, 2024

Tributes

Carol Jean Renstrom

December 11, 1942 - July 14, 2024

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