Carleen Paulette (Nelson) Syversen passed away in her home on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at age 76. She was born January 14, 1950 to June C. (Baird) Nelson and Clarence P. “Howdy” Nelson in Jamestown, ND. She began her education in a country school and then attended her remaining school years in Edgeley, North Dakota graduating from Edgeley High School in 1967. She also attended Stewarts School of Hairstyling in Aberdeen South Dakota.

She married LeRoy “Snook” Syversen April 18, 1969. They resided in various locations in Minnesota before returning to Edgeley to open and run “Our Place” pub. After a few years and two children later, they moved to the country to begin a farming career.

Carleen was involved in American Legion Auxiliary, adding her special touches to the annual Memorial Day service held in Edgeley, ND. She has been instrumental as the historian of the Edgeley Alumni Association for many many years. Tracking the whereabouts of EHS alumni was a passion of hers. She always had the current alumni directory in her purse. These will be some big shoes to fill.

As entertainment in her early years, she enjoyed bowling with a group of special friends. Later in life she would make trips to various casinos, always claiming to be the ‘lucky’ one.

Family gatherings were important to her and she organized and headed up the annual Baird Cousin Reunion for several years. The group picture would have never turned out well without her orchestration. Saturday at 4:00 pm sharp, and you had best be there on time with your reunion shirt.

Speaking of family, she adored her granddaughters and would never miss the opportunity to brag about each of them as she showed them off on her birthstone necklace she was rarely seen without. There were endless games of SkipBo as well as multiple viewings of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Wizard of Oz.

Carleen is survived by a son, Daymond (Bridget) Syversen, Dickey, ND and a daughter, Donelle (Kelly Hiedeman) Syversen, Edmore, ND. Granddaughters: Hannah (Ben) Offenberger, Chariton, IA; Maggie (Bailey) Syversen, Knoxville, IA; Emmy (Ethan) Whited, West Fargo, ND; Kyah (Jace Erickson) Colbert, Eden Prairie, MN; Natalee, Jenna, Sadie and Tessa, Dickey, ND. Five great grandchildren; Eyla, Ivan and Zain, Chariton, IA; Harrison, West Fargo, ND; Tyson, Eden Prairie, MN. Two sisters, Martha “Marty” Doyscher, Denver, CO; Gail (Jim) Anderson, Mandan, ND; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Nelson, Northglenn, CO; Susan Nelson, Cedar Rapids, IA. Godson, Dayne Anderson, Mandan, ND. Several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, one great great nephew and many cousins.

Carleen was preceded in death by her parents, June C. (Baird) Nelson and Clarence P. “Howdy” Nelson, three brothers David Nelson, Charles Nelson and L. Peter Nelson, sister-in-law, Darlene Nelson, niece, Sonya Nelson and granddaughter, Gracie Syversen.

Honorary Pallbearers: Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Edgeley Alumni Association, P.O. Box 218, Edgeley, ND 58433 OR Mt Hope Cemetery, 608 1st Ave, Edgeley, ND.

Visitation: Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:00 pm (one hour before the service) Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Edgeley, ND

Funeral Service: Friday, July 17, 2026 2:00 pm Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Edgeley, ND

Interment: Mt. Hope Cemetery, Edgeley, ND following the service

Fellowship: Bottoms Up, Edgeley, ND following the service for coffee, desserts from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm