Carole I (Gudesjahn) Kaleva

Carole Ione Guderjahn Kaleva, age 71, slipped away into the arms of her Savior, on Thursday, July 11 ^th at the Northern Rockies Medical Center after battling ALS for several years.  She was born on June 11, 1942 to Louis and Dorothy (Strietzel) Guderjahn in Rolla, ND.  Carole grew up in Rolla and was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  She babysat for many families, was active in church, Girl Scouts, and was involved in all school activities.  After graduating from Rolla High School in 1960, she attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, graduating with degrees in elementary education and German.  Carole married the love of her life, Larry Kaleva, in Rolla on June 28, 1964.  She stayed closely connected with her high school and college friends all of her life.

Carole and Larry moved to Great Falls, MT in 1964, where she taught kindergarten and first grade until 1973, when the family moved to Cut Bank, MT.  Carole was very active in the community of Cut Bank, including serving as President and Secretary of the Glaciereens Home Extension Club, serving on the Montana Storytelling Roundup committee, Museum events planning committee, Friends of the Library and the Glacier County  Community Fund Drive.  She also took part in a monthly book club.

One of Carole’s great loves was Girl Scouting, celebrating 50 years as a member in May 2012.  She served as leader of troops of all age levels, was service unit chairman for several years, service unit treasurer, and also served on the Big Sky Girl Scout Council.  Carole always said she stayed in Scouting so long because it stands for service to others and that paralleled her faith.

Carole lived her Christian faith daily.  She served on several committees at church, taught Sunday School, was Altar Guild chairperson for over 30 years, worked with the youth group and confirmation classes, and was very active in the Women’s ministries of her church.  She was a charter member of Prairie Peace Lutheran Church in Cut Bank.

Carole enjoyed her daily walks of many years with her dear friends Jan Arnot and Doris Winter.  She enjoyed reading, sewing, crafts, volunteering and planning events.  She especially loved the mountains and spending time there with her husband, family, and friends.

Carole is preceded in death by her father, mother and brother, Randel Guderjahn.  She is survived by her husband, Larry; children Karla (Fred Grundmann) Kaleva of Cut Bank, Joel (Bea) Kaleva of Missoula, and Lisa (Keith) Swenson of White Bear Lake, MN, her grandchildren Maddie, Sean, and Danny Kaleva, and Per and Suvi-Liisa Swenson, brother Curt (Connie) Guderjahn, Russel (Dale) Guderjahn, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dearly loved in-laws.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at Prairie Peace Lutheran Church in Cut Bank.  Memorials are suggested to Prairie Peace Lutheran Church, the ALS Foundation, or whatever cause is close to your heart.