Carol Ann Bodine, 84, went home to God on December 15, 2025, following a brief illness while at CHI St. Alexius Health.

A rosary and memorial service will be held in Bismarck, ND, on May 18 at Parkway Funeral Service. The rosary will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments and fellowship will follow at Parkway.

Carol was born on August 25, 1941, in Moorhead, Minnesota, to Arthur and Georgia (Fischer) Wambach. She grew up in Georgetown, Minn., alongside her older sister, Jean, her closest companion. Because their mother’s health was fragile, Jean often took on a nurturing role, creating a bond between the sisters that remained strong throughout their lives.

Carol worked as a trainer for North Dakota Job Service in Fargo, where she helped others prepare for job interviews and employment. It was during this time that she met and married Ron Bodine, who was then an assistant football coach at NDSU. Carol had a lifelong love of music and singing and once competed in the Miss Fargo Pageant, where she won the talent contest where she sang a smoky love song that charmed the audience.

Though she did not have children of her own, Carol poured her love into her nieces and nephew, becoming a kind of second mother to them. She was a devoted babysitter, shopping partner, and travel companion. Even as the years passed, she continued to share many adventures with her sister, nieces, and great-nieces, creating memories they will treasure always.

Carol and Ron lived in Fargo for many years before relocating to Ventura, California, where they delighted in walking their beloved dog along the ocean and exploring the California coastline. They welcomed visiting family with warmth and generosity, treating them like royalty. Their journey together later took them to Texas, South Dakota, and eventually to Bismarck, ND, to be closer to family. Carol cherished family gatherings and trips to Leech Lake, Minn. She happily fulfilled her bucket-list dream of celebrating her birthday in Paris with crepes and a glass of wine.

Carol worked for a period of time at Dakota Fire & Safety in Bismarck, and at TJ Maxx. Her life was enriched by family, her dogs, and shopping/decorating. She had many collections of beautiful art pieces, Christmas decorations, books, and DVDs. Singing in the Corpus Christi Church choir brought her much fulfillment.

Carol had a special gift for making Christmas special with her beautiful decorations and annual dinner on Christmas Day. She lovingly baked cookies to send to relatives, and her popcorn balls were a cherished holiday tradition and a highlight eagerly anticipated by her family each year.

She is greatly missed, especially at family gatherings which she dearly loved. May she rest in peace in God’s glory with family and friends who have gone before her.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Georgia Wambach; her brother-in-law, Dick Olson; and her nephews, Mike and Jeffrey Olson.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Ron Bodine; her sister, Jean Olson; nieces Julie (Gary) Aman and Jill (Tom) Ackerman; great-nephews and great-nieces Matt (Lexie) Schaefer, Jordan (Laura) Schaefer, Hunter Ackerman, Halli (Marco) Curzio, and Hanna Ackerman; numerous Bodine relatives; and her dear friend, Carol Stoltz.