Carol D. Barthel, 69, of Ward, SD, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the Pipestone County Hospice Home in Pipestone, MN. She was born September 5, 1946 in Sibley, IA to Cort K and Grace (Franken) Blum. Carol was baptized January 14, 1951, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in George, IA. Her family moved to Ward, SD in 1955 to her grandparent's farm. She was confirmed July 19, 1959 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ward, SD and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1964. Carol married Clair Barthel December 6, 1964 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ward. They farmed and milked cows together by Ward. Carol worked at the grocery store and post office in Ward where she was the Officer in Charge of the Post Office. They had a farm sale in 1982 and moved into Ward in 1984. Then Carol worked at White Drug in Brookings from 1982 – 2002, at 3M from 2003 – 2004, and was a Wal-Mart greeter from 2005 – 2011 when she retired on September 1, 2011. Carol was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer October 18, 2011. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was an active member and treasurer of the EVEning Circle. Carol loved arts and crafts and had a sale over the last 20 years every December. She enjoyed her garden masterpieces and the flowers. Clair and Carol enjoyed their travels across the United States, Canada, and Alaska.

Carol is survived by her husband Clair, four daughters, Charity (Bill) Kuehl, Ward, SD, Darla (Tony) Parsley, Adrian, MN, Melanie (Steve) Kuehl, Elkton, SD, Jackie (Darin) Voelker, Colman, SD, 12 grandchildren, Mandy, Shauna, Billie Jo, Christina, Jessica, Danny, Brenda, Brooke, Dylan, Bailey, Dalton, Kelby, and two great-grandchildren, Ryan and Mason, and two more on the way, three sisters, Marlys (Allen) Barthel, Elkton, Jolene (Ralph) Trageser, Verdi, MN, Janelle (Terry) Nelson, Elkton, and numerous nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, Clarence and Mae Barthel.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ward, SD with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m. Friday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau. Memorials to Immanuel Cemetery Fund.