Mrs. Carolyn Johnson Humphrey

Carolyn (Johnson Hellervik) Humphrey 5/26/35 – 7/11/18 Carolyn’s spirit was freed from her earthly bonds on July 11th with her daughters and close friend at her side after a long and arduous journey since her stroke. She was born on the family farm outside of Dawson, MN, the youngest of six children. Her mom passed away when she was only 8 years old. She graduated from Dawson High School, spent her freshman year of college at St. Olaf, and then transferred to St. Cloud Teachers College from which she graduated with an Elementary Education degree in 1956. During college, she met Lowell Hellervik and they married in August 1956. Carolyn’s first teaching position was in Starbuck, MN. She and Lowell moved to the shores of Lake Owasso in Shoreview in 1960, where they both taught in the Roseville School District. Carolyn did not teach full time while their daughters were young, although she did serve as a substitute teacher, occasionally to the chagrin of her daughters when mom would be in their school for the day. She was an active member of Centennial United Methodist church and spent many years singing in the Chancel Choir. Following the end of their marriage, Carolyn returned to school and completed her Masters and Specialists degrees in Elementary Administration. These were challenging times as she juggled raising three rambunctious daughters and completing her coursework in a field dominated by men. In 1978, Carolyn was hired by the Osseo School District and was their first female principal. During her tenure there, she led teams at Zanewood, Birch Grove, Winnetka and Rush Creek Elementary schools. After completing the construction and opening of Rush Creek, Carolyn retired in 1996. During her 18 years in the district, she enjoyed many years of singing and dancing with the Waste Basket Review. She was known for many wild stunts to keep students engaged in school and learning: dropping eggs off the roof of the building dressed in a chicken suit, reading on top of the jungle gym for an entire day, climbing a telephone pole, and certainly many more. Carolyn had moved to Robbinsdale in 1981 to be nearer to her school. She loved her townhouse on Crystal Lake and reveled in both entertaining in her home and spending quiet time on the deck over-looking the lake. Carolyn married Bruce Humphrey in 1988. Theirs was a great love - filled with laughter, romance, friends, dancing, and travel - even after Bruce became ill. Sadly, and far too young, Bruce passed away in 1990. We are certain they are now dancing in heaven! Soon after Bruce’s death, Carolyn’s first grandchild was born. In the years following, she spent innumerable hours with all of her grandchildren as they grew up. She purchased a cabin on Rooney Lake in Danbury, WI with her daughters and especially loved sharing time with her grandkids while swimming, winning prizes in the boat parades on the 4th of July, sledding and cross country skiing, creating art projects and watching Balto and The Lion King while drinking her famous cocoa with toast. As the grandkids grew, she could be found bouncing from field to recital to arena to theater to concert with enormous joy and pride in each of the kids who lovingly call her Nonnie. Carolyn was also an active volunteer. She worked on events for the Methodist Hospital Foundation, was a board member at Home Free, and held a variety of roles with the American Association of University Women – Minneapolis Branch, including serving as its President from 2008 to 2012. She was extremely proud of leading AAUW through a massive renovation of the Gale Mansion and helping to build up their endowed Scholarship Fund. She also developed many friendships and mentored new leaders for the organization. While Carolyn’s stroke left her with physical and mental challenges, she was a fighter to the last day. That strength came from a blend of being a pure-bred Norwegian, a lifetime of learning, and a focus on overcoming challenges. There was nearly nothing she couldn’t do when she put her mind to it, and she approached every hurdle with grace, style, humor, and a kind spirit. The family gives our deepest thanks to all the caregivers who had a positive impact with Carolyn over the last 5 years, but especially those at Touching Hearts at Home, Geneva Suites – Ashwood, Brighton Hospice, and Bluestone Physicians. Carolyn was preceded in death by: her parents, Melvin and Manty Johnson; her siblings Bardolph (Juliette) Johnson, Mildred (Orton) Kleven, Melvern (Eunice) Johnson, Joel (Gloria) Johnson; her infant daughter Ruth; her son-in-law Dominic Saldaneri; and her cherished husband Bruce Humphrey. Carolyn is survived by: her children, Lisa (Patrick) Mach, Kari Hoskin (Mark Ede), and Mia Saldaneri; her step-children, Julie Humphrey (Rik Belew), Bruce (Denise) Humphrey, and John (Lori) Humphrey; her grandchildren, Gretchen Mach, Britta Mach, Linnea Hoskin, Haley Hoskin, Manty Saldaneri, Cesare Saldaneri, Corinne Belew (Dillon Westbrook), Leland (Taylor) Belew, William Belew, Erin (D.J.) Warden, Jack Humphrey, Shane Humphrey, Kelly Humphrey, Lane Humphrey, Lisa Humphrey and Sam Humphrey; her great grandchildren Reginald and Conrad Westbrook; her sister Lois (Harold) Shelstad; many nieces and nephews and their families, along with countless friends. Visitation will be held on Thursday 7/19/18 from 5-8pm at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel at 5000 West 50th Street, Edina. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday 7/20/18 at 11am at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403. A brief visitation will be held at church at 10 am. In keeping with her lifelong love of education, Carolyn asked that memorials be directed to the AAUW Scholarship Fund, 2115 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Tributes

Mrs. Carolyn Johnson Humphrey

May 26, 1935 - July 11, 2018

Tributes

Mrs. Carolyn Johnson Humphrey

May 26, 1935 - July 11, 2018

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