Carol Elston, 84, Valley City, ND, formerly Hope, ND passed away March 30, 2025. The funeral service will be 3 PM, Saturday, April 5 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hope. Inurnment will be in Hope Cemetery in the spring. 

Carol Janine Nelson was born February 18, 1941, to Bernard and Margaret (Jensen) Nelson.  She attended school at Clinton, MN, where she graduated in 1959.  Carol went on to attend Mayville (ND) State where she received her teaching certificate in 1962.  She got her first teaching job in Cavalier, ND where she taught Junior High English.  Carol met her future husband, Donald, there.  They were united in marriage on June 22, 1963, at Clinton. They remained in Cavalier one more year after their marriage before returning to the home farm in Hope in 1964. 

They were NDSU Bison Football team maker members and attended many games at the Fargodome.   Carol and Don enjoyed going to Mesa, AZ and became official “snowbirds” in 1995. They stayed very active with park activities, day trips, playing cards and dancing. They officially retired from farming in 1996.

Carol’s hobbies included reading, especially westerns, card making and gardening.  She loved playing the piano for her family.  Carol served on various boards including treasurer of Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Hope Library, Steele County Museum and the Edendale Homemakers and she belonged to Hope Seniors and Ladies Red Hats. 

She is survived by son, Curt Elston of Hope, ND; son Paul (Kasey Cole) Elston of Hope, ND; grandchildren, Kaylauna Cooley; Jeremy Elston and brother Norman Nelson, Fresno, CA.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband Don, son Gary; daughter Laurie and grandson Randy Cole.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com