Obituary of Carole Ann Hemme

 

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, Carole Ann Hemme passed away peacefully from cancer, surrounded by Gordon & family, at Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center in Arlington at age 74, 10 months & 15 days, entering the presence of her Lord.

Carole Bowman was born on May 1, 1950 to Victor & Marie (Olson) Bowman in Luverne, MN & grew up alongside her older brothers Ronald (residing in Eden Prairie) & Ardell (deceased). Carole was baptized at Grace Luther Church in Luverne as a child, remaining a lifelong member of the Church in Christ. She attended Luverne schools & graduated in 1968. Carole married Robert Dunham in 1969 & lived in Luverne where she had Jason & Jacalyn Dunham. They moved to Akeley in 1976 & had Jana & Jessica Dunham. They divorced in 1987.

Carole was an organist & receptionist at the First Lutheran Church in Akeley. She then worked as a legal assistant in Walker. She moved to St. Cloud with Jacalyn & Jessie & continued administrative roles for two churches there.

In 1995, while in St. Cloud Carole reunited with Gordon, a high school friend. On July 29, 1995, Carole married Gordon Hemme & moved to Prior Lake where Gordon resided. Carole worked for various temp services before joining with Beckman Coulter in Chaska until she retired in 2012 at age 62. They later live in St. Bonifacius before settling in Arlington. Carole passed away months shy of their 30th Anniversary.

Carole enjoyed playing cards, games, puzzles & crossword puzzles. They played bingo with friends at a local bar-restaurant in Green Isle. She loved knitting, cross-stitching & tending to her houseplants. She found joy in watching & feeding the birds—especially hummingbirds & cardinals—as well as squirrels & she cherished caring for her beloved cats, Puck, Nala & presently Buddy. She treasured trips “Up North” to Akeley to visit her children & grandchildren, as well as journeys to Luverne, Florida, California, Texas to visit family & the Black Hills & Deadwood, SD.

Known for her hospitality, Carole loved cooking meals for visitors & always had snacks to share, making everyone feel welcome in her home.

Carole will be remembered for living a full & vibrant life, leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth & cherished memories. She was grateful for life, the relationships she made too many to mention & God’s beauty that shone through it in so many ways. Her kindness, creativity & generous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Carole is survived by her husband Gordon Hemme (77); brother Ronald Bowman (84); sister-in-law Jayona Bowman (--), children Jason, Jacalyn, Jana & Jessica Dunham; grandchildren Zane Raiche, Zuri, Derek, Deyla, Kaia & Nevaya Dunham; step-children Troy (Wendy) Hemme & Chad Hemme, step-grandchildren Silas & Sawyer & in-laws, Glenn (Glatha) Hemme, Gary (Susan) Hemme, Lynnette (Ralph) Wacker & nephews Scott (Molly), David (Laura), Jeff & Eric & many cousins & friends.

Carole was preceded in death by Robert Dunham (75), her brother Ardell Bowman (74), her sister-in-law Irene, her grandson Devin Dunham & her parents.

 

A celebration of Carole’s life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church,

on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 814 W Brooks St, Arlington, MN 55307.

visitation 9-10:45am, service 11am-12pm, followed by lunch.

Officiating Pastor Gretchen Pierskalla.

Final resting will be at Akeley Cemetery at a later date.

Flowers by UncleCharliesFlowers2.com in Winthrop (507) 647-3044.

Cards to Gordon Hemme, 502 Creekview Ln, Arlington, MN 55307.

All donations will be given to AudreysPurpleDream.com, a nonprofit cancer patient assistance org., in honor of Audrey Pidde, Carole’s sister-in-law.