Carolyn Cedarleaf Minneapolis, Minnesota Obituary

Carolyn Cedarleaf

Carolyn Mildred Ekstam Cedarleaf moved onto her heavenly home on August 26, at Colonial Acres in Golden Valley, Minnesota just prior to her 97th birthday. Carolyn was a beautiful being, a gifted artist, seamstress and cook, who made extraordinary pies. She was a loving wife to Douglas Cedarleaf for 55 years and a dedicated mother to 4 daughters and 6 foster children. She provided hospitality to many individuals and families from all over the world. Carolyn loved decorating her home, playing the piano, doing crossword puzzles, doing rosemaling and painting. She had an art show of her beautiful watercolors just months before her passing. She was open minded and welcoming to all. She also had a dry sense of humor and her witticisms brought much laughter. Carolyn gave her love and attention to all who came into contact with her. She was devoted to her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She was also deeply appreciated at Covenant Village, where she lived for almost 30 years. Carolyn was born in Moline, llinois to Harry and Ruth Ekstam on September 10, 1919. She had two siblings: Eunice Hagberg and Rev. Harry Ekstam. She began her professional life as a secretary at John Deere in Moline. She married Rev. Douglas Cedarleaf on November 1, 1940 and together they served in their early years of married life at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago. Carolyn and Doug pastored several churches, including First Covenant in Spokane, Washington, North Park Covenant in Chicago, Rochester Covenant in Minnesota, and Grace Covenant in Stambaugh, Michigan. They also lived in Batavia, Illinois, where Doug served as chaplain. Carolyn was a member of Community Covenant Church in Minneapolis for over 30 years. Doug and Carolyn Cedarleaf were recognized for their efforts in urban ministry by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1998, receiving the Irving C. Lambert Award. Carolyn was preceded in death by Doug, who left this earth on November 27, 2000. She is survived by daughters Jeannine Nordlund (Ted), Rebecca Anderson (Ralph), Melanie Morgan, and Glenda Cedarleaf (Kelley). Her grandchildren include: Charis Collins (Jayson), Rebecca Newhouse (Chris), Nathan Nordlund (Barbara), Elissa Cedarleaf-Dahl (Erik), Joel Anderson (Erin), Amanda Simonoff, James Simonoff, Jacob Clauson (Kristin) and Ben Clauson (Temis). In addition, Carolyn has 12 great-grandchildren and many dear friends and relatives who will miss her very much. The Cedarleaf family expresses our deep gratitude to the staff of Covenant Village, Colonial Acres and Park Nicollet Hospice for their loving care of our mother. A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held at Fellowship Hall in Covenant Village of Golden Valley, 5800 Saint Croix Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55422 on Saturday October 1 at 1pm. Carolyn’s online Memorial with full obituary is at Kozlak-Radulovich Funeral Home. http://www.kozlakradulovich.com/ Memorials may be sent in honor of Carolyn to Covenant Village of Golden Valley Benevolent Fund at the above address.
September 10, 1919 - August 26, 201609/10/191908/26/2016
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Obituary

Carolyn Mildred Ekstam Cedarleaf moved onto her heavenly home on August 26, at Colonial Acres in Golden Valley, Minnesota just prior to her 97th birthday. Carolyn was a beautiful being, a gifted artist, seamstress and cook, who made extraordinary pies. She was a loving wife to Douglas Cedarleaf for 55 years and a dedicated mother to 4 daughters and 6 foster children. She provided hospitality to many individuals and families from all over the world. Carolyn loved decorating her home, playing the piano, doing crossword puzzles, doing rosemaling and painting. She had an art show of her beautiful watercolors just months before her passing. She was open minded and welcoming to all. She also had a dry sense of humor and her witticisms brought much laughter. Carolyn gave her love and attention to all who came into contact with her. She was devoted to her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She was also deeply appreciated at Covenant Village, where she lived for almost 30 years. Carolyn was born in Moline, llinois to Harry and Ruth Ekstam on September 10, 1919. She had two siblings: Eunice Hagberg and Rev. Harry Ekstam. She began her professional life as a secretary at John Deere in Moline. She married Rev. Douglas Cedarleaf on November 1, 1940 and together they served in their early years of married life at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago. Carolyn and Doug pastored several churches, including First Covenant in Spokane, Washington, North Park Covenant in Chicago, Rochester Covenant in Minnesota, and Grace Covenant in Stambaugh, Michigan. They also lived in Batavia, Illinois, where Doug served as chaplain. Carolyn was a member of Community Covenant Church in Minneapolis for over 30 years. Doug and Carolyn Cedarleaf were recognized for their efforts in urban ministry by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1998, receiving the Irving C. Lambert Award. Carolyn was preceded in death by Doug, who left this earth on November 27, 2000. She is survived by daughters Jeannine Nordlund (Ted), Rebecca Anderson (Ralph), Melanie Morgan, and Glenda Cedarleaf (Kelley). Her grandchildren include: Charis Collins (Jayson), Rebecca Newhouse (Chris), Nathan Nordlund (Barbara), Elissa Cedarleaf-Dahl (Erik), Joel Anderson (Erin), Amanda Simonoff, James Simonoff, Jacob Clauson (Kristin) and Ben Clauson (Temis). In addition, Carolyn has 12 great-grandchildren and many dear friends and relatives who will miss her very much. The Cedarleaf family expresses our deep gratitude to the staff of Covenant Village, Colonial Acres and Park Nicollet Hospice for their loving care of our mother. A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held at Fellowship Hall in Covenant Village of Golden Valley, 5800 Saint Croix Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55422 on Saturday October 1 at 1pm. Carolyn’s online Memorial with full obituary is at Kozlak-Radulovich Funeral Home. http://www.kozlakradulovich.com/ Memorials may be sent in honor of Carolyn to Covenant Village of Golden Valley Benevolent Fund at the above address.

To plant a tree in memory of Carolyn Cedarleaf, please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Oct
01
Service
Saturday, October 01 2016
01:00 PM
Covenant Village
5800 St Croix Ave N
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55422
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail