Carole Jean Olsson was born in 1938 in Hibbing, Minnesota. Her journey over the next 86 years took her across five continents and included sailing the Greek Islands, experiencing winter in Moscow, going on safari in Kruger Park, South Africa and driving through the wine country in Western Australia. Her final trip was to Oxford, United Kingdom to visit her granddaughters. Of all her amazing adventures, she loved her frequent visits to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia the most.

Her childhood was spent with her parents, Eleanor and Victor Olsson and sister, Marilyn Olsson (Walters) in Hibbing, Minnesota with frequent trips to the family cabin. She also enjoyed playing among the huge mining tires at Range Firestone, her father’s shop.

Carole graduated from Hibbing High School, received a Bachelor of Science cum laude from the University of Minnesota (Duluth) and earned a Master of Arts in Education from The University of Michigan.

She was a dedicated educator and devoted over three decades of service to Carman-Ainsworth Community School District and Fenton Area Public Schools. She held many different roles including classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and elementary school principal. She loved her students and they loved her.

Carole was a bright light for everyone that she met. She shared her enthusiasm, joyfulness, humor and compassion in all situations. She had many close friends across the country including those in Gulfport, Florida, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Fenton, Michigan. She shared important life adventures with Charles Levens, Duncan MacEachern, and Ludwig Sperling.

Carole is survived by her son, Michael Levens and his wife, Denise Levens, and grandchildren Colette Levens and Elyse Levens. Survivors also include nephew, David Walters, and niece, Lynda Friedman and her husband, Paul Friedman. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Walters and her husband, James Walters. Her family and friends miss her greatly.  

Carole's family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the UMD Carole J. Olsson Levens Scholarship at the University of Minnesota Foundation.

A celebration of Carole’s life will take place in June 2025 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.