Carol Ruth Gauthier

Carol Ruth (Wahlstrom) Gauthier, 96, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Evergreen Meadows Senior Living in Norway. A native of Iron Mountain, she was born on Dec. 19, 1929, the daughter of the late Claude and Ruth (Peterson) Wahlstrom. She was a 1947 graduate of Iron Mountain High School. Shortly after graduating, Carol married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Gerald Gauthier, on Aug. 30, 1947, at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. They had been together for 80 years and in two days they would have celebrated their 79th wedding anniversary. Carol was a devoted and compassionate nurse, serving at Freeman Nursing Home and Pine Manor before retiring from the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain. Above all else, faith and family were central to her life. She was a faithful, longtime parishioner at both St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norway. Her devotion to her husband, children, and especially her grandchildren was unwavering. Her family will forever cherish fond memories of playing card games, sharing ice cream, and enjoying her generous home-cooked meals. Her door was always open to neighbors and friends. Even the deer at camp looked forward to their annual treats whenever it was time to share her saved stockpile of Christmas cookies. Carol will be deeply missed by her husband of almost 79 years and their 4 children: Larry of Denver, CO, married to the novelist Culley Jane Carson; Dan of Iron River, MI; Mike of Iron Mountain, MI and his partner, Christina, who was one of Carol’s special caregivers; and Kris (Gauthier) Schalow of Iron Mountain and her husband Mike. In addition, she is survived by 9 grandchildren: Noah in Hilo, HI; Elli in Longmont, CO; Katy in Aurora, CO; Ryan in Chicago, IL; Nick in Marquette, MI; Jason in Seattle, WA; David in Homestead, WI; Casey in Sagola, MI, and Michael in Norway, MI. In addition, there are 8 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Germaine Bettiga in Minneapolis; and many other family members and friends. In addition to her parents, Carol is preceded in death by her infant son, Teddy; daughter-in-law, Kristine (Noskey) Gauthier; and 2 siblings, Leslie Walstrom and Phyllis Rosala. Visitation will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 401 Main St. Norway, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, with Fr. Abraham Mupparathara officiating the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. The compassionate care, love, and support provided to Carol and her family by the wonderful staff at Evergreen Meadows turned a challenging time into cherished memories. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Carol Ruth Gauthier online at www.eranshfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Carol Ruth Gauthier

December 19, 1929 - August 27, 2026