Lorette (Rotvold) Cornman
Lorette (Rotvold) Cornman, the 11th child of Lars and Martha Kirkvold Rotvold, was born on January 2, 1924 in Gatzke, MN. Lorette went to school in Caledonia, ND, where she graduated as Valedictorian. She went to Interstate Business College in Fargo. Then she and her girlfriend moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked as a dance instructor at a private dance studio, and also as a secretary. From Minneapolis, she and a friend moved to California to work for the Navy Commandant’s Office. Lorette met Fred at a dance that he had snuck into (as he was underage). They were married three weeks later!
Early on in their marriage she and Fred had won $1,000 and decided to purchase a boat. Over the years they enjoyed camping, water skiing and fishing with the family. In retirement they traveled in their RV around the country. Lorette also enjoyed entertaining, golf, tennis, bridge, singing and dancing through the years. They really loved Ballroom dancing, and had won several contests, they were so good! Lorette loved to sing and enjoyed doing karaoke at home with friends and at the Clubhouse. She and Fred were active members of several golf clubs over the years. She was very competitive and won many tournaments in golf, as well as couples championships. Amazingly, Lorette had seven holes-in-one, the last one at age 89! She was also an active member of many organizations including Eastern Star, SunBird Roadrunners, Ladies Club and Tennis Club. She was a member of the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.
A few years after Fred passed away, Lorette was blessed with another romance, spending her last few years still dancing, playing golf, fishing and visiting family and friends with Mel Flinkman. She had so many wonderful friendships and loved her family and friends. Lorette was a long-term resident of SunBird, known for her giving heart, her laughter, her happy, energetic and fun loving nature. She was a blessing and an example to everyone on living life well. She finished the race, loving and living life to its fullest. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Lorette was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Cornman and several of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her brother, Lawrence Rotvold; son David and wife Linda Cornman of Arnold, CA; daughter Deborah and husband Ervin Ducommun of Carl Junction, MO; grandchildren Jennifer Tarantino, Aaron Cornman, David Ducommun, Eric Ducommun, Kristen Fenimore; and five great-grandchildren, Ruby Tarantino, Grayson Tarantino, Henry Ducommun, Elijah Ducommun and Kaitlynn Fenimore.
Carol Jean (Valentine) Olson “Gaga”
Carol Jean Valentine was born to John and Margarite (Billam) Valentine on August 10, 1946 in Flandreau, SD. She attended school in Egan, SD, graduating in 1964. After high school, she attended Stewarts School of Hairstyling in Sioux Falls, SD. She then moved to Brookings, SD to work in a Stewarts Salon where she met her future husband, Gordon Olson. They were married in October 1969. After moving to Minneapolis, MN she continued to work as a hair stylist. In late 1970 they moved to Aberdeen, SD where she obtained her license to teach beauty school. In 1976, they moved back to Minneapolis where she taught in a beauty school prior to going into a partnership of hair salons with Stewarts of Sioux Falls. Over the next 33 years, five salon locations were acquired in the Twin Cities area and the partnership was bought out. Carol retired in April 2010.
Carol was blessed with the nickname “Gaga” when grandson Jacob was too young to say grandma, long before Lady Gaga became popular. The nickname has spread to all who know her including friends at the lake, in Arizona and numerous friends throughout the Twin Cities area. She also taught Jacob the ‘call of the loon’ at our lake: “Gaga, come to the lake, Gaga, come to the lake.”
Carol’s natural leadership ability was very apparent in guiding the staff in her salons; as well, in her family life. From planning staff picnics, holiday dinners for her family or birthday parties and pontoon parades at the lake, she always had a plan-of-action that involved everyone.
Her grandchildren have been the highlight of her life. From baking cookies, monkey bread or banana bars together, attending sporting events or shopping for presents, she would stop at nothing for them.
Carol and Gordon have wintered in Arizona since 2011 and are members of the SunBird Lions Club.
Carol is survived by her husband of 45 years, Gordon; three children, Bryan (Jill) Olson, Stacey (Olson) Roberts, and Greggory (Leonie) Olson all in the Twin Cities area; three grandchildren, Jacob, Madeline and Myles Olson; three step grandchildren, Madison and Alyssa Grosz and Avalon Roberts; five siblings, Connie Wendell of Flandreau, SD, John (Barb) Valentine, Chandler, AZ, George Valentine, Sioux Falls, SD, Linda Valentine, Brooklyn Park, MN, and James (Jeannette) Valentine, New Hope, MN; brother-in-law Bob Waxdahl of Sioux Falls, SD and many nieces and nephews.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, sister Nancy Waxdahl and brother-in-law John Wendell.
A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30 at St. James Lutheran Church, 6700 46th Place N., Crystal, MN 55428, with visitation from 9:30–11 a.m. at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to family. Memorials will be donated to a cancer fund.
Gearty-Delmore 952-926-1615; www.gearty-delmore.com.