Mankato, Minnesota - Carol Faye Ackerson, age 86, died Sunday, August 10, 2025.

Carol was born on November 19,1938, in Lakeville Minnesota to Johannes and Lela Meeg-Andersen.

She graduated from Farmington High School in 1956 and then graduated from St. Cloud State University with degrees in theater arts, English and speech in 1960. Carol moved to New Ulm in 1960 to begin her teaching career, where she later met and married Thomas Ackerson on June 3, 1962.

Carol taught English in the New Ulm school district for 41 years. She also directed many plays, coached speech activities, worked on proms, and took students to the decathlon in Los Angeles. Education was her passion, and she was very dedicated to not only helping her students learn and excel, but also to improving education for everyone.

She was elected to the National Education Board, the Teachers Retirement Board and to many offices within the Teachers Union. After retirement she served on the New Ulm District School Board for two terms. Carol enjoyed meeting friends for exercise in the swimming pool, being a part of her sewing club, and maintaining the gardens around her house. She also found joy in seeking out the next 'treasure' for her many collections.

Her husband of 54 years, Thomas, preceded her in death on February 7, 2017.

Carol is survived by her sister, Iris Briesacher, nieces Debra Briesacher (Randy Carlson), Brenda (Dean) Kurtz, Jill (Dale) Ronning, Amy (Mark) Ulbricht, and brother-in-law, Rodney (Elena) Ackerson.

Special thank you goes to Cindy Borth, Holly Postel, Richard Meyer, and many other friends and family who supported and cared for Carol in so many ways as her health declined. She was blessed.

There will be a remembrance of Carol at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home South Chapel in New Ulm on Saturday, September 6 at 2:00pm. Visitation one hour prior starting at 1:00pm. A reception will follow at the funeral home. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the New Ulm Area Foundation (https://newulmareafoundation.org/donate/) or Turner Hall (http://www.newulmturnerhall.org/donate.html).