Carolyn “Chris” Dostal

Carolyn Dorothy Christianson Dostal was born in Minneapolis, MN on Dec. 6^th, 1934 to Donald and Dorothy (Richards) Christianson.  She died peacefully at home on Aug. 10^th, 2018 at the age of 83.

Carolyn and her three sisters grew up in the Twin Cities, where she attended Edina High School and the University of MN.  She married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Wayne Dostal on Sept. 26, 1953; and they went on to have four children: Karin, Joe, Cathryn, and James.  Jerry’s career in the Petro-Chemical industry brought the young family to southern California and then on to St. Louis and London.  Regardless of where they lived, they would continue to spend summers in Minnesota at a cabin on Star Island, Cass Lake.

Leaving London, Carolyn returned to St Louis and then moved on to Denver where she lived for many years.  While there she started her own business selling “Christy Covers”; handling all aspects of the company, from original design, to manufacturing, to sales.  Carolyn’s ingenuity, hard work, and optimistic attitude allowed to her to be successful in almost anything she undertook.

Carolyn was adventurous and loved to travel throughout the world with friends and family.  She had a great sense of humor, a hearty, easy laugh and was often the center of any gathering.  Carolyn lived life to the fullest and loved dancing, playing games (particularly Bridge and “Hello”) and always made everyone feel welcome.

Eventually Carolyn moved to Fargo where she embraced her new community.  There she found a fun group of Bridge Players and was near her beloved Star Island Home.  Throughout her life Carolyn was happy, grateful and a true joy to be around.  She is already dearly missed.

Carolyn is survived by three of her children:  Karin (Lee) Holschuh, Fargo; Cathryn (Mike) Green, Republic, MO and James Dostal, Denver.  She also leaves behind three sisters – JoAnne (Jerry) Dodd, Denver; Nancy (Don) Stenquist, Seattle; Janet Crocker, San Francisco; a cousin Donald Frank (Sue) Richards; a daughter-in-law – Rita Dostal; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and her cat, Meeka.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Joe Donald Dostal; her daughter-in-law, Leslie Dostal and two brothers-in-law: Wayne Herhold and Thomas Crocker.

A celebration of Carolyn’s Life will be held in Denver, CO on Dec. 8^th, 2018