Carol Jean (Rodenbo) Lonetto, 66, of Duluth, Minn., bravely fought a long battle with health, gracefully passing with family by her side on Dec. 15, 2018 at St. Luke’s Inpatient Hospice.
Carol was born at Hibbing General Hospital, May 19, 1952, to Delores and Jerry Rodenbo. She lived in Redore, Bovey, and finally Duluth, attending Lakeside Elementary Ordean and East High School (member of Student Art), and Duluth Area Vocational Technical Institute, graduating as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She worked as Activities Director at both Faribault’s State Institute and Aitkin’s Akota Nursing Home before settling back in Duluth where she worked at the Human Development Center as a Case Aide/Life Coach, teaching independence skills to people with cognitive and mental health disabilities. She volunteered as a Board Member of the Mental Health Association of Minn., advocating to establish mental health patient rights for treatment and independence that was part of what shaped care in Minnesota, leading to our state being recognized nationwide for Mental Health Support.
Carol was a longtime active member of UMW at Abury UMC Church. She also volunteered in the community through CHUM, the Food Shelf, the Lake Superior Zoo, and the Tweed Museum. Carol later returned to fulfill a lifelong dream at UMB to get a BA in Art History and Graphic Design.
Her knowledge of literature, love of art and world history, paired with a quick wit made Carol an intelligent and personable conversationalist.
Her strength of spirit, faith, love of life, artistic viewpoint and incredible creativity led her to see the awe in the mundane, the abundance of beauty in life, and to find joy in every day.
Carol was proceeded in death by her parents, Delores and Jerry Rodenbo, as well as her husband and best friends, Roger Lonetto. They will now be able to enjoy the most golden of years together. She is survived by siblings Elaine McWaters, Gerald (Sue) Rodenbo, and Linda (Scott) Anderson. Daughters Jennifer (Josh) Gutowski, and Teresa Turner. Grandsons Tobias, Justin and Jacob. Step-Daughters Tania Lonetto, Robyn Fryt, and their families. And many nieces and nephews. She felt her family. Daughters and grandchildren made life worth living.
A memorial service with visitation was held on Jan. 12, 2019 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, Duluth, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth, Minn.
