Obituary of Carole Faye Nilsson

Carole Faye Nilsson was born December 4, 1932, in Sheldon, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Minnie Grooters. She graduated from Orange City High School in 1950 and attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, until her marriage to Willard (Bill) Veencamp in 1952 when the couple moved to Junction City, Kansas, during his military service. Following the birth of their son, Scott Veencamp, and at the end of Bill’s military service, the couple attended the University of South Dakota where both graduated in the class of 1957. Carole and Bill moved to Owatonna in 1959 where their son Jonathon Veencamp was born in 1964. In 1986, Carole lost her first husband, Bill, to cancer. She continued to teach at Owatonna High School until her retirement in 1993, a teaching career over of 35 years, mostly as an English teacher. In 1991, Carole married Karl-Heinz Nilsson and they built a new house together in Owatonna featuring Karl-Heinz’s cabinetry. The couple traveled extensively throughout the world after her retirement both on land and by sea. After KarlHeinz died in 2017, Carole eventually met the third love of her live in a retired doctor from her hometown of Sheldon, IA, Dr. Ron Zoutendam. He remained a special companion to her during her final years, and visited Owatonna frequently once her health curtailed their travels. Carole loved Owatonna and was active in numerous community activities. She acted in several Little Theatre productions and sang in the Roger Tenney Chorale. She served on the Boards of Women’s Club of Owatonna and the Owatonna Public Library. She enjoyed membership at the Owatonna Country Club, the Owatonna Arts Center, as well as Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed book clubs, bridge clubs, and wine clubs. In her younger years she enjoyed skiing and golf, and throughout her life Carole loved reading, music, and theatre. As a people person, Carole loved to socialize, and, with her friends put on some of the greatest theme parties Owatonna has ever seen. Her greatest love was for her family and time spent with them. In 2011, Carole wrote a memoir detailing her life journey and her many travels. Titled “Dancing Through the Raindrops” her book was read by many of her friends, relatives, and acquaintances. She often spoke of her joy in recalling and writing about her life. Her mother Minnie DeWitt Grooters had also written a memoir when she was in her 80’s. Carole is survived by two sons and their wives, Scott (and Debra) Veencamp of Columbia Heights, and Jonathan (and Pamela) Veencamp of Owatonna; two grandsons, Zachary and Noah Veencamp; a great-grandson Aden Veencamp; brother-in-law Norman Bastemeyer of Des Moines; nieces, nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, both brothers (Robert and James Grooters) and their spouses, and by two husbands with whom she remained until death did them part. A Celebration of Life is being planned for early December and will be announced at a later date.