Caryl Ziegenhagen

The memorial service celebrating the life of Caryl Ziegenhagen, of South Dakota and formerly of Eagle Bend, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Shalom Lutheran Church in Alexandria MN, with Pastor David Fleener presiding. Family and friends may gather at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A private family burial will take place at Hope Cemetery in Eagle Bend, MN. In memory of Caryl, the family is asking for everyone to wear pastel colors to the service. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You are invited to watch the service via live-stream by going to the church’s YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/@shalomlutheranchurchalexan8523 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caryl, age 76, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on May 7, 2026, in Joplin, MO. Caryl Ann Jackson was born on June 17, 1949, in Long Prairie, MN, to Wilton and Violet (Carlson) Jackson. She grew up in Eagle Bend, where she attended school and graduated in 1967. She later continued her education at the Wadena Technical School in the secretarial program. On March 21, 1970, Caryl married Gene Ziegenhagen at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. They built a life centered on faith, family, and caring for others. Caryl devoted herself to her family and found joy in the simple, meaningful things - crocheting, reading, camping and researching family history. Caryl faithfully served Faith Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend as an Administrative Assistant, but her service there reached far beyond one role. Over the years, she also served as church treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, director of the Children’s Choir, organist, accompanist for the Chapel Choir, and musician for many funerals and weddings. Her faith was an important part of whom she was, active in WELCA and Mission Builders of the ELCA. Mission Builders projects included camp structures in FL, ND, and WI. She also was part of Mission Builders church building projects in Columbia SC, St. Michael/Albertville MN, and Glen Burne MD. In addition to Mission Builder projects, she spent most winters volunteering at Luther Springs in Hawthorne, FL, and in later years volunteering summers at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria, MN. She gave glory to God for the opportunity to volunteer. Outside of her faith work she gave her time to the Eagle Valley Teen Center, “The Spot,” board and cherished the laughter and friendship she shared with the “Red Hat Mommas.” Caryl was preceded in death by her parents, Wilton and Violet Jackson; aunts and uncles, Clara Sarff, Elmer Carlson, Carl Carlson, Kenneth Jackson, Ray Jackson, and Harold Jackson; parents-in-law, Mabel and Fred Ziegenhagen; and great-grandchildren, Rosie and Beau. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Gene of Sioux Falls, SD; daughters, Lesa (Kevin) Boser of Rice, MN, Tina (Jason) Blashack of Lester Prairie, MN, and Heidi Barr of Glencoe, MN; grandchildren, Ashur (Brayden) Blashack, Stephanie Asfeld, Brittany (Vance Doll) Asfeld, Emma Blashack, Christina (Zachary) Tvrdik, Allison Asfeld, Noelle Blashack, Meghan Barr, Ryan Barr, and Kennedy Barr; great-grandchildren, Jase Asfeld, Berkleigh Asfeld, and Beckett Tvrdik; brother, Donald (Becky) Jackson; brother -in-law, Bob (Sandy) Ziegenhagen; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Caryl’s name may be directed to Luther Crest Bible Camp, 8231 Co Rd 11 NE, Alexandria, MN 56308, or Luther Springs Camp & Conference Center, 264 Vause Lake Rd, Hawthorne, FL 32640, for campership scholarships. The Country Basket in Eagle Bend, MN is the family’s recommendation should anyone still like to send flowers/plants. (The Country Basket 218-738-5681, www.countrybasketmn.com)

Caryl Ziegenhagen

June 17, 1949 - May 7, 2026