Caryl Hoyer (Wold) Wedes

Caryl and her twin brother Charles were born on February 2, 1931 to Anne and Elmer Wold.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Ann (Punky) Jackson, brothers Charles, David and Peter Wold, husband Dr. Deno Wedes and son John Deno. She is survived by children Kirsten Wedes (Michael Welckle), Susan (Paul) Beaumaster, Chris (Kris) Wedes, Thomas Wedes (Barbara Guth), Ruth (Kevin) Melchionne; grandchildren Abraham Welckle (Jenna McKenney), Sidney Beaumaster (Jacob Fure-Slocum), Isaiah Welckle, Jack Beaumaster, Isabella Wedes, Charles Wedes, William Beaumaster, and Katherine Wedes, and 2 great-granddaughters, Harlow and Emery Welckle McKenney.

Caryl graduated from Johnson High School, studied nursing at Gustavus Adolphus College and Bethesda, and earned a degree from Metro State University. She also attended the University of Minnesota.

Caryl’s stories of growing up on St. Paul’s East side resemble an episode of The Little Rascals—a lot of neighborhood play, sailing on White Bear Lake, Campfire Girls, and Job’s Daughters.

Following her mother and sister into nursing, she caught the eye of young Dr. Deno Wedes at St. John’s Hospital. They joked that his Studebaker won her over. They married and built a lifelong home in Maplewood.

As a mother she encouraged and modeled being curious, active, playful, and organized.

Art and creativity always played a role in her life. Early on she studied oil painting and later attended the University of Minnesota, specializing in print making. She developed a playful style many have seen in her all-occasion, hand-drawn greetings mailed throughout the year. Any family mishap such as a flat tire, swamped boat in a storm, getting lost while on vacation was simply “story writing material.” You knew you hit the final approach to the cabin when Fred’s Red Shed was spotted and she sparked the family in a rouser she composed called Dear Old Lake Pokegema.

After the death of her young son John, Caryl felt a strong need to connect with children, and so the house was a welcome place for neighborhood and school friends. Later in life she connected with young people working at Mounds Park Academy extended day program.

She was an ardent believer in being physically active. Tap dance, snow ski, sailboat, water ski, and start each day standing on your head! Any pronouncement from her kids that they were feeling ill, and she would offer the remedy to “run around the block.”

Swimming was central to her life whether at home, on spring vacations, or at the cabin on Lake Pokegema. She was a certified water aerobics instructor and taught for decades at Maplewood Community Center and other local pools. Despite declining mobility, she was committed to the community center and Silver Sneakers group, and in everything she was determined to do for herself.

She was not shy. It’s been said that she could establish friendships in a single elevator ride with a bold greeting and a mint. She enjoyed the company of so many life-long friends for celebrations, Vikings games, Superbowl parties, parades, and theater outings.

Caryl’s self-deprecating sense of humor, love of family, loyalty to friends, optimistic outlook, and determination made her a model for living life to the fullest.

Thank you to the caregivers at The Gardens at Episcopal Home and Grace Hospice.

Suggested memorials to Capistrant Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders at Bethesda Hospital, or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (handicap door fund).

Funeral Service will be Friday, July 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM with Visitation one hour prior to service from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1390 Larpenteur Ave East St. Paul, MN 55109.

Live streaming at: https://www.orlcmn.org

Our Redeemer Church follows the City of St. Paul’s COVID case number guidelines regarding indoor gathering and mask use.