Carolyn Elizabeth Fletcher

Carolyn Elizabeth Fletcher, born April 10, 1943 by the grace of God to Marie Skor (Oles) of Chicago, Illinois and was the second of five children. Grandparents, Catherine and John Oles immigrated from the Malopolska and the Tatras region of Poland. Carolyn was very proud of her heritage and her family history.
Over the years, Carolyn shared many memories of her siblings, her time at summer camp, and her high school years. Carolyn attended Gage Park High School. Carolyn met Thomas (Tom) Anthony Fletcher and married June 1, 1963. Carolyn and Tom raised their family in Tinley Park, Illinois. Carolyn had several jobs but her main attention was raising her family. She loved to cook, garden, listen to music and dancing. Carolyn was a constant presence in her children's lives, which included summer picnics to Warren Dunes, Room Mother at school, Den Mother for Cub Scouts and Girl Scout Troop Leader. In 1983, our family to moved Pennington, MN. to pursue a business adventure.
After the business adventure, Carolyn and Tom retired early to a place on Movil Lake near Bemidji, MN. They enjoyed many days of beautiful sunshine to garden, watching their grandsons grow, fishing and relaxing with their new addition, Blue Eyes the cat. Although it was very cold and snowy up in Bemidji, something she didn't enjoy, she always had an outlook that spring was not too far away.
In the summer of 2000, Carolyn suffered a severe stroke. Through determination and strength, she was able to gain almost 100% of her mobility and speech back.
In 2002, her husband passed away. She moved with Blue Eyes to Richfield, MN to stay closer to family and continued her rehabilitation for her traumatic brain injury at Sister Kenny Institute. Through her rehabilitation and support from Opportunity Partners, Carolyn was able to re-enter the workforce; something she was very proud of. Carolyn was able to live independently thanks to continued support from her family and community. She enjoyed long walks to the grocery store for her lottery tickets, shopping for fun gifts for her family, and fresh produce at the farmers market which were close by her home. She looked forward to family dinners, barbecues, holiday parties and family vacations. Carolyn instilled the importance of family to all of us.
In 2016 after health concerns, she moved to assisted living. Though difficult to give up her independence, Carolyn always found a silver lining and persevered through numerous illnesses and hospital visits over the next two years. Out of everything she went through, she would be concerned about family members while she was sick and not herself.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, older sister, Geraldine, and three younger brothers, Ronald, Robert and Tom. Carolyn is survived by her daughters, Michele (Tony), Laurele (Eric), Valerie (Matt) and son, Thomas Jr. (Saundra), four grandchildren, Joseph (Nikie), Amanda (Derrick), Micheal (Christine) and Phillip (Rui) and four great grandchildren, Jason, Lily, Logan and Benji.
We would like to thank Walker Care Suites of Edina, MN for the loving care, dignity, and respect shown to our mother every day she was in their care.
Following the service, internment will be at Lebanon Cemetery at 5450 150th Street West, Apple Valley, MN. After internment, luncheon will be served at Reflections Condominiums Community Room at 8161 33rd Avenue South, Bloomington, MN. We hope to see you there to share and celebrate the life of Carolyn Fletcher.
Thank you to our family, extended family and friends for your continued support.