Caroline Mary Larsen

She was born in St. Paul, MN on December 4, 1943 to Richard Bernard Gosselin and Angela Genevieve Gosselin (Jueneman) and graduated from Monroe High School in St. Paul, MN.

Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Caroline (or G.G.O.A.T. as her grandchildren fondly knew her) were in awe of her unwavering faith. Her famous phrase “Let Go and Let God,” was exactly how she lived her day to day life. She was an active member at her second home and church, Guardian Angels Catholic Church, and spent hours daily in prayer and reciting the rosary. She served on many church committees including the woman’s club, many outreach services, was a eucharistic minister and volunteered in hospice. Caroline always gave 110% to everything and everyone around her. To say she had a giving heart was putting it lightly. She was a true reflection and example of what it meant to be a servant of Christ.

Besides the church community, Caroline’s greatest joy in life was her family. She spent countless hours following her grandkids' sports and activities and trying to keep up with their latest interests. She loved to golf, garden, cook, and spend time relaxing in her RV at Balsam Lake with her soulmate and loving partner, John. Her summers revolved around planning the annual extended family vacations at Izatys on Lake Mille Lacs, traveling to visit her family, and filling her home with an abundance of toys and crafts for her grandkids to enjoy on the next big visit. She always had an adventure or activity ready to go and loved to keep up with her grandkids' passions.

Grandma Caroline never missed an opportunity to send a birthday or holiday card to her loved ones, and show them all just how much she cared. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all anxiously awaited the arrival of each one. Along with her late husband, she enjoyed spending months preparing for the holiday seasons that were always packed with love, laughter, and an abundance of family time. The house was always filled with smells of freshly brewed coffee, elaborately made meals, and homemade desserts. Visitors always left her home with a full belly, cooler filled with leftovers, and an overflowing heart. Celebrating others was what brought her the most joy in this life.

She will be deeply missed by sons Kenneth (Tammy) Larsen and their children Jake Larsen, Brett (Kelsey) Larsen and Nick (Melissa) Larsen; Kurt (Amy) Larsen and their children Luke Larsen and Landen Larsen, and daughter Karen (Thomas) Konop and their children Sara (Denver) Lewallen, Jennifer (Austin) Buzzard and Ryan (Sophie) Konop. Great grandchildren Rhett & Sutton Lewallen, Alicema & Ava Buzzard, Rocky Konop and Frederick Larsen. She is further survived by brothers Raymond Gosselin, Gerald Gosselin and sister Rose Mary Gosselin, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Caroline was preceded in death by her loving husband John W. Shirts and brothers Jerome Gosselin and Bernard Gosselin. Friends and family are invited to her funeral Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 30th at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 4th St. N., Oakdale, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior to mass, from 10 - 11 a.m. at the church. Internment Guardian Angels Cemetery. The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Pat Sherrill who helped with support, transportation and friendship throughout Caroline’s cancer journey.

While our hearts ache at the thought that she is no longer with us on this earth, we find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her loving husband and Jesus at the gates of heaven.