Carolyn Jenett Aune died peacefully in the presence of family on February 21, 2026.

Carolyn, the youngest of two girls, was born in Paterson, New Jersey on November 18, 1936 to Paul and Regina (Herold) Schuergens. They moved to southern California in 1949. Carolyn’s beauty, intelligence and grace blossomed, earning her a tiara and title of Princess in the Rose Bowl parade of 1954. In her senior year of high school she was recognized as a talented artist and was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. There she met fellow student Charles Markert. The two fell in love and married in November of 1955. Soon after, the young couple moved to Bavaria, Germany when Charles was deployed with the US Army. Being of German descent, Carolyn immersed herself in the language and culture. The couple had two children and one on the way when they made their way back to California in 1958. They settled into suburban life in Glendora where the family grew to nine children, always a dog or two, a cat and the occasional turtle or chicken. Relocating again to the mountains of Big Bear in 1969, Carolyn ran the family carpet business. In 1971 a job offer moved the family to Minnetonka, Minnesota. While working and running a busy household filled with kids’ birthdays and sports, holiday celebrations, camping trips, multiple excursions to the North Shore and the Dakotas and boating on Lake Minnetonka, she developed a talent for landscape and portrait photography, professional writing and interior design. After the devastating loss of their eldest son Kurt in 1982, the couple divorced.

Carolyn married David Aune on Christmas Eve of 1983. The couple traveled extensively, hosting wedding receptions and holidays for her children and happily embracing their roles as grandparents before Dave’s death in 2005. Carolyn once again pivoted and moved to Edina where every day she got attention from her ever-growing family and her friends. She stayed active with Scrabble, Writing and Mahjong clubs, painting and sketching. Being cared for by family at her daughter’s home, the last six weeks of her life were filled with love, laughter and endless stories.

Carolyn was one of a kind who will leave a legacy of egalitarianism, determination, strength, love of the arts and acceptance of all.

Carolyn is survived by her children Kathleen (Frank Toffoloni) Fortini, Eileen (Mark) Sampson, Colleen (Robert) Pullar, Laureen (Paul) Markert, Paul (Kristin) Markert, John (Ann Fontaine) Markert, Timothy (Jodi) Markert and Janine (Sean) Larson, 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her son Kurt David Markert, sister Beatrice Gougeon, grandson Paul Schuergens Fortini, husband David Aune and former husband Charles Markert.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org/Contribute

Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

P.O. Box 672

Wayzata, MN 55391-0672

952-474-2115

A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held August 2 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Centennial Lakes Hughes Pavillion, 7499 France Avenue South in Edina.