Carol Ruth (Manthe) Lessin died at her home from vascular dementia, on May 15, 2026, at the age of 89.  She was surrounded by her family, who provided care for her at home over the past several years.

Carol was born in Rock Island, IL in 1936.  She grew up watching riverboats on the Mississippi River, and the trains that whistled past her home.  She passed on her love of railroading to her grandchildren.  She graduated from Alleman Catholic High School in Rock Island in 1954.  She then attended Marycrest College in Davenport, IA.

Carol married Charles "Larry" Lessin on February 7, 1959, after meeting on a blind date. In 1965, Larry and Carol settled in Cohasset, MN with their three children.  They built a life together centered on their Catholic faith and establishing a family business, manufacturing Charmaster Wood Furnaces for 45 years. Back in the mid 1980's, Carol was proud to be on the board of Itasca Memorial Hospital, Itasca Nursing Home, and Bigfork Valley Hospital.

Carol was an avid collector of European antiques, stained glass, blue glassware, and railroad memorabilia, incorporating many of her finds into the home she built with her family.  Carol had a variety of interests including family genealogy, history and architecture.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Manthe and Ruth Manthe Yaudas, and her husband of 60 years, Larry in 2019.

Carol is survived by son, Christopher (Kristi); daughters, Marie (Gary) Gibeau and Andrea Lessin; and 11 grandchildren, Katharine (Paul) Van Keuren, Sam, John (Cydney), Patrick (Danielle), Charles (Kayla), and Dominic Gibeau and Matthew (Amber), Jacob, Rachel (Brian) Watson, Megan, and Joe (Bailey) Lessin. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The Family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the caring staff of St Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Carol.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 9:00 AM at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, Cohasset, MN followed by the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery, Cohasset, MN.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.