Carol Helen Storaasli

Carol Helen Elefson was born May 1, 1925 in Lostwood, ND to Paula and Evender Elefson.  She passed peacefully in the early hours of November 15, 2021. Her first 9 years were enjoyed on the farm in North Dakota and in 1934 the family moved to Washington. They came to Everett, ended up in the Snohomish area and eventually settled in Silvana.  Carol attended Pacific Lutheran College (PLC now PLU) where she graduated with a degree in education in 1947. This is where she also met the “Big Guy”, Les, in the halls of PLC. Carol and Les were married on August 23, 1947 and enjoyed 59 years of a loving marriage before his passing in 2006.

Her career began in the Franklin Pierce School District at Parkland Elementary School, where she taught second grade for a few years. She was then able to stay home and be a full-time mom to their children, Mark and Paula. Family was very important to Carol and a favorite task was caring for her grandchildren which she took on with pleasure and loving kindness. Rainy day picnics in the basement were a special treat!  Holidays and traditions were also important and her mission was organizing the family dinners and making sure to have “lists” for everyone’s involvement in these great family times.

Since 1945, Carol was an active and faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland. Throughout the years she participated in Reading Club, Altar Guild, Ruth Circle, Church Council, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Luther League. Carol and Les loved traveling and were fortunate to visit many states and countries. A special adventure was living and teaching 4th grade in Abidjan, Ivory Coast for two years while Les was the principal. The “Roof Rats gang” from PLC days was a long-time group of friends that gathered yearly at various locations for fun and reminiscing. Carol loved spending time with family and friends at the cabin on Hood Canal; visiting, swimming, cracking crab on the ramp, hours of playing bridge or telling the kids stories about Sigrid the Seagull and Ulysses Mouse!  Carol and Les were avid dancers and loved the Big Band era of music! She couldn’t help herself but put a spring in her step whenever she heard Glenn Miller’s ‘In the Mood’!  She also loved to garden, play cards, board games, and was especially good at ping pong!

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Lester Storaasli, son Mark Storaasli, brother Erland Elefson, and sister Dorothy Gunderson. She is survived by her brother Eugene (Audrey) Elefson, sister-in-law Geri Elefson; daughter Paula (Randy) Bacon of Tacoma, daughter-in-law Julie (Greg) Gilmore of Puyallup; grandchildren Erika (Jackie) Richardson, Stephanie (Brynn) Ellis, Melanie (Tyler) Knox, Evan Storaasli, Daniel (Kaity) Storaasli, and Eric Storaasli; great grandchildren Kenzie, Riley, Harper, Bennett, Malcom,  and a future Storaasli (Dan & Kaity) to be born next spring.

She will be greatly missed by her community, her many friends and by her loving family. Viewing will be Saturday, November 27, 2021 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Weeks’ Dryer mortuary in Parkland, WA. Carol’s Memorial service will be Sunday, November 28, 2021 2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Parkland, WA. Please join us in Thompson Hall for a reception following the service to celebrate Carol’s life by sharing good times, memories and of course, refreshments. Memorials may go to Trinity Lutheran Church or an organization of your choice.

We would like to say a special ‘Thank You’ to Teresia and Robert at NewStart Adult Family Home for giving her such kind and compassionate care during her stay. 

Please sign her guest book at dryermortuary.com on her Tribute Wall.

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