Carol Baltrusch

Carol Baltrusch, 77, Bismarck entered the gates of heaven into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, September 13. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Friday, September 19 at Bismarck Baptist Church, 2211 Laforest Dr, Bismarck. A livestream of the service will be available on the church's YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCojPuXfqieBO9sMrFEWSClw

Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 PM Thursday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7:30 PM.

Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.

Carol was born on November 8, 1947 to Fred and Rose (Mindt) Sorge at the Bismarck Hospital. She was the youngest of three girls and always the organizer and planner. Carol lived in Bismarck her entire life. She attended Will-Moore Elementary, Richholt Elementary and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1964. She graduated on Tuesday and married Louis Baltrusch on Saturday. She was only 16 years old and throughout their 61 years of marriage would say “…if this marriage doesn’t work out, it’s because I was too young!”

After their marriage, Louie and Carol made their home in Bismarck. Louie and Carol have three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She spoiled the grandchildren and great-grandchild whenever possible, valuing time with family above all else.

Carol frequently gathered for coffee and fellowship with her cherished friends. She enjoyed helping others, providing transportation to appointments or assisting with other needs they had. She loved hospitality and had people to their home whenever possible, cooking feasts made up of everyone’s favorite items and extra - just in case. She enjoyed planning and decorating for parties and did so frequently. There was never a case in which food was not offered in abundance and frequently. She always had a camera in her hands and would snap the picture just as you were taking a bite! In addition to pictures of people eating, she would chronicle each event – large or small – with pictures. She liked hosting parties such as Tupperware and Avon. She collected Precious Moment figurines, filling two curio cabinets. She also would keep personalized napkins from each wedding, anniversary, graduation etc. She had napkins from as far back as 1975. She was a lifelong member of Bismarck Baptist Church and helped with a number of activities throughout the years.

Carol and Louie built and owned Soap and Suds Laundromat which they owned for 49 years. Carol worked at St. Alexis Hospital for 29 years, retiring in 2010. Throughout their marriage, they traveled often to visit family and friends. They also traveled to many places around the United States with her favorite being Hawaii, which she visited three times.

As her condition declined, she was concerned about how others were doing. The peace of God which transcends all understanding was evident until she passed, always looking forward to meeting Jesus, then reuniting with her family.

Carol is survived by her husband, Louis; children: Kim (Todd) Bloom, Lindstrom, MN., Ronda Baltrusch, Bismarck, ND., and Kyle (Jen) Baltrusch, Bismarck, ND; grandchildren: Nathan (Anna) Bloom, Forest Lake, MN., Seth Bloom, Roseville, MN., Chad (Eden) Baltrusch, Bismarck, ND., Chloe Baltrusch, Fargo, ND., and Craig Baltrusch, Bismarck, ND; great-grandchild, Natalie Bloom; special cousin, Shirley Martin; and special friends, Barb Beggs, Della Njos and Sharlene Haux. She is also survived by special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, nieces and nephews and dear friends too many to name.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Rose Sorge; sisters: Eileen Schwab and JoAnn Shaw; and many close cousins and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The family would like to thank the staff of Missouri Slope Hillview Campus for the loving care shown throughout her time there.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army or Samaritans Purse.