Carol Ann Piepenburg

Our beloved, and beautiful, Carol Ann Piepenburg passed away on April 6, 2026 at St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by her loving family. 

A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 1:00pm with a visitation beginning at 12:00pm. A reception luncheon will follow the service.

Carol, the tenacious daughter to Herman and Esther Ulrich, was born on August 1, 1950 in Litchfield. She was the oldest of seven children. A country girl at heart, she grew up helping on the family farm, watching her six younger siblings, and playing with her dog named Pepper. Carol, a deep woman of faith, was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church. She says, “we thank God for all of our blessings here on Earth and look forward to life in Heaven. We give God the glory for our lives, and Jesus is our Savior!” She attended Cosmos High School and graduated as an Honors Student in 1968. She then went on to attend Augsburg College for a semester. Carol felt homesick in the big city, returned home, and met her future husband, Larry, a few years later. She worked for 18 years at Northwestern National Bank as a bookkeeper, and then at Meeker Memorial Hospital in administration for another 28 years. Later in life, she went back to Augsburg College and finished her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She sure was one smart cookie; one that worked hard and never gave up!

Carol and Larry were joined in marriage on July 6, 1974 at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage, and as Larry recently said, it felt like 51 weeks. They had a deep love and devotion for one another, the kind that inspires everyone around them. They went on to have their daughter, Nicole, and son, Nathan. Being a wife and mother was one of Carol’s greatest joys. It felt like she would go to the ends of the Earth for her children, and she loved them dearly. She was always loving and the glue that kept her family tight-knit. She was a great communicator, and often used her magical voice to keep her family updated, heard, and cared for. She was also incredibly smart. From keeping Larry’s business books to offering advice to her kids and grandchildren, her wise words will be carried with us for life and generations to come.

She was so proud of being a grandmother to Alexis and Aiden. Carol had such a deep love, connection, and closeness to them. It was always a good day when it was spent with the grandkids. Carol went out of her way to make them feel special, loved, supported, and spoiled. She felt so close to Heaven when she looked into the eyes of her grandbabies. Carol loved to share her adoration of music and believed that music is an important part of everyone’s lives. Her garden full of tomatoes and squash, peonies, hydrangea bushes, and other flowers and plants made her heart warm. Carol really enjoyed driving around with Larry and Nathan and checking on their field's progress in the spring and fall. In addition, the warm sun on her face, breeze on the trees, and hearing birds chirp strengthened her faith. She shared these joys with her family.

Carol Ann is survived by her husband, Larry; Children Nicole and Nathan; Grandchildren Alexis and Aiden; Siblings Bonnie, Karen (Scott), Steven (Debbie), Julie (John), Greg (Donna), Jeff (Bev); Mother-in-law Adeline; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Esther; Father-in-law Alvin; Brother-in-law Ron; Nieces Michelle and Gretta; and Son-in-law Tory.

There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone, their light remains.

Carol’s light remains. Blessed be her memory.