Carol J. Mays • 1929 - 2011

Carol J. Mays, 81, Minot, died Friday, January 28, 2011 in a Minot hospital.

Carol was born on May 19, 1929 in Geneva, IL a daughter of Carroll and Edna (Hopkins) Dieter. 

She was raised and educated in West Chicago, IL.  Following high school, she took nurses training at Northern Illinois University.  She then moved to Merced, CA, where she worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital.

It was in Merced that she met Stephen B. Mays, who was stationed there with the US Air Force.  The couple married on May 22, 1954 in Merced.  They then transferred to Spokane, WA, where their son Stephen Anthony was born in 1956.  They then attended school in Denver, CO before moving to  Springfield, MA, where their daughter Sally Anne was born in 1957.  They then Transferred to Georgia and finally to Minot in 1962, where they have since lived.

Carol was quite active in the Minot Air Force Base Catholic Chapel and was the religious education director for the Catholic Chapel for over 30 years.  She was once president of the Bishop Ryan PTA and went on to become State President for the North Dakota PTA.  She was once president the Minot Toastmistress Club and was regional president of that organization.  She was active in the Girls Scouts, where she was a leader, neighborhood chairman, trainer, camp director and board member for many years, giving many young ladies their training in Girl Scouts.

Carol was an active member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Minot.  She served as the religious education director, CCD teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers and took Communion to the sick and homebound.  She was one of the organizers of the parish prayer line and for many years helped coordination the funeral luncheons at the church.  She was also active at the diocesan level and under Bishop Kenney, served as president of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.  She attended three years of Deacon training with her husband Stephen before he was ordained in 1987.  Carol then demanded and received a perfect attendance certificate for the diocese.  As a deacon’s wife, she had been involved in many church events.  She was past president of the Minot Serra Club and an officer and active member of the Minot Vocations Club.  She also served on the Governor’s Council For Volunteers, the board of directors for Catholic Charities and several other boards and councils.  As the wife of a deacon, banker and military man, Carol was very active in every community in which they lived. 

Carol, and the way she lived her life, touched the lives of many.  She was loved and will be missed, but not forgotten.

Memorials are preferred to the 2nd Story Club  of Minot and the Trinity Guest House.

Survivors:  husband, Stephen B. Mays, Minot, ND; son, Stephen A. Mays, Bismarck, ND; daughter, Sally (Rick) Quinn, Minot, ND and her children Tiffiny Dunn, Washington, DC and Ethan Quinn, Minot, ND;  sister,  Diane (John) Brooks, Charleston, SC;  brother, David Dieter, Grantsville, WV;  sister in law, Nancy Kaiser, Jacksonville, FL; and brother in law, Charlie (Marilyn) Mays, Eden Prairie, MN.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. 
 
Funeral:  Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot, ND.

Vigil Prayer Service:  Monday, January 31, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot, ND.

Visitation:  Monday, January 31, 2011 from 11 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND.

Celebrants of the Liturgies:
Father David Zimmer and Deacon Chuck Kramer

Mass Servers:
Nathan Couture, Chris Pitner and Anthony Pitner

Gift Bearers:
Nancy Kramer, John and Julie Gayzur

Lector:
Jan Jundt

Music:
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church Choir
Sarah Dimond, Organist

Honorary Bearers:
Carol’s family and friends

Active Bearers:
Confraternity of Christian Mothers

Following the service, please join the family for a time of fellowship and lunch in the fellowship hall.

Our family would like to thank all of you for your many acts of kindness. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated during this difficult time. May God bless the memory of Carol.

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