Carol Diane Jerde

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas—Carol Jerde, full-time loving mother of three children, died Saturday, August 10, 2024 at her home in New Braunfels. She was 79.

Carol Diane Nygaard was born January 8, 1945 in Enderlin, N.D. to Ole O. and Grace Barbara (Gray) Nygaard. While attending Enderlin High School, Carol showed aptitude in business subjects and received an award for her typing skills as a junior in high school. After graduation from Enderlin High School in 1963, she sought further education and attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, N.D. After a year of coursework, she began working as a secretary in the Agricultural Information Bulletin Room in Morrill Hall for North Dakota State University Extension Service in Fargo.

She met her future husband, Lorrie D. Jerde, on a blind date. They were married the following year on July 18, 1965, at First Lutheran Church in Enderlin, N.D. They loved to go dancing and regularly attended the Eagles Club in Fargo. To this union were born three children: Jay, Ryan, and Heide.

Carol chose to leave her business job to become a full-time mother shortly before the birth of her first son and demonstrated love for her family every single day of her life. Later in life, Carol said those years at home with her children were the best years of her life. They started their family in Fargo and West Fargo, lived briefly in Steele, N.D., and resided in Hillsboro, N.D. for 43 years.

Carol lovingly gave of herself everywhere she went and with anyone she met. She especially loved children and the elderly. In the 1980s, Carol returned to work providing daytime childcare in her home. Many of the children preferred to go to Carol’s house than other alternatives. She also taught Sunday School at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for several years. She later worked as a cleaning lady for Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, N.D. where she regularly kept company with the residents. Lorrie and Carol moved to New Braunfels in 2022.

Carol was an animal enthusiast and showed love to her children’s and own pets equally. She especially loved her cats, Daisy and Pumpkin.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Lorrie, who died in 2023, her parents, and a half-brother, Kenneth Nygaard. She is survived by sons Jay (Lyn), Madison, Wis., Ryan (Karla), Bristow, Va., and Heide (Doug), New Braunfels; grandchildren Alexis and Evan; brother, Don (Dierdre) Nygaard, Baker, Mont.; and nieces and nephews. Carol (our mom, grandma, sister, and friend) was the epitome of love, and no words can express how deeply she will be missed.

Services will be held Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 at the Lux Funeral Home, 1254 N. Business IH 35, New Braunfels. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cats Cradle Shelter in Fargo, N.D.