Carol Lynette Rethlefsen, 82, died peacefully on February 25, 2026, at Hastings Senior Health & Living (formally Augustana Health Care Center of Hastings). She was a resident there for nearly 10 years. We would like to thank the staff there for their excellent care of Carol.
Carol was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, on December 2, 1943. She was active in Girl Scouts and church. With her family, she moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1957 and graduated from Logan High School in 1961. She played the organ and piano quite well.
While attending La Crosse State University, she met Kooras Maskooki, and they were married in Dubuque, Iowa, on March 31, 1962. They had a wedding reception at Trinity Lutheran Church in May. In 1963, they moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to attend college. Her daughter, Soraya Lynette Maskooki was born on August 24,1965.
Carol was an elementary teacher at the White Sands military base. She obtained a Master of Arts degree from Western New Mexico University Silver City in August of 1969. In the early 70’s they moved to Iran for a year or more, where Carol taught at the American military base.
In 1979, they were in a car collision while traveling through Indiana. A car ran a stop sign and hit their car broadside. Carol was in a coma for days from head trauma and brain stem injuries. She was left with limited motor control, poor balance, and speech impairment. She was able to get around using a walker. In 1984, Kooros and Carol divorced. Carol moved to Red Wing and lived in apartments, assisted living facilities and nursing homes until becoming a resident at Augustana Health Care.
Carol was very active in churches in Red Wing. She was well liked and known in various church groups. She was quite strong-willed and definitive on what she wanted. She was also known for her kindness and empathy.
Carol is survived by her brothers: Charles Rethlefsen (Dorothy McGrane) and John Rethlefsen (Ann); Nieces: Karin Rethlefsen (Debbie), Candace Hagen (Todd), Melissa Rethlefsen (Jim Moriarty), Carrie Schneider (Brian) and Kristin Rethlefsen; Nephew: Jeffrey Rethlefsen.
She is preceded in death by her parents: Claude E. Rethlefsen and Gladys J. Lundquist Rethlefsen Bowe; Stepfather: Andrew Bowe; Sister: Marilyn Rethlefsen; and Daughter: Soraya Maskooki Ruka.
