Carol Vannelli

Loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died peacefully after a long illness on March 13, 2016.

Preceded in death by parents Erwin & Marie Holmes, and grandson Jackson.

She is survived and will be deeply missed by her husband of 55 years, Bruce Vannelli; children Brian & Lori, Todd & Jill, Christen & Marc Christopherson and Lynne & Chris Wollo; adoring grandchildren Steve & Mandy, Jessica, Ingrid, Tayla, Sophia, Gabby and Michelle, and great-grandson Jameson; sisters and in-laws Joanne & Dick Read, Jan & Bill Wolfe, Mary Fritz, and Susan & Spencer Reppe; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

After graduating from South St. Paul High school in 1958, Carol attended the University of Minnesota to study theater set design.  She married Bruce in 1960 and they moved to Massachusetts for a year.  They returned to Minnesota to build a home in Lakeville.  They raised four children there and in Plymouth.  Carol returned to college as an adult, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in child development in 1979, and a Master’s degree in early childhood education in 1990.

Carol’s passions were teaching and bringing joy to children and families.  She did this through her work as a pre-school teacher at St. Mary of the Lake and long-time director of the Wayzata Early Childhood & Family Education program, and later in her role leading “Grandma’s school” in her retirement.  Carol served as president of the Friends of the Plymouth Library, captivated audiences of young kids when reading to them in the school district, shared faith with her bible study group and choir at Holy Name of Jesus church, tended a beautiful garden, and shared in vibrant discussions at Family Book Club.  Most of all, Carol enjoyed her family: watching them grow, become parents, and getting to know and love her grand- and great-grandkids.

Carol firmly believed that what matters most is making the difference in the life of a child.  Throughout her career and through building her family, Carol made that difference for countless numbers of kids.  For this reason, we ask that in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Jackson Wollo Memorial fund at Children’s Hospital (giving.childrensmn.org) or Interfaith Outreach & Community Partner’s Caring for Kids Initiative (iocp.org).

Interment Holy Name Cemetery with a light lunch following.