Carol Ann Oline Niemeier

   Carol Niemeier, 87, of Buxton, died December 14, 2021, at Luther Memorial Home.

   Carol Hanson was born on July 4, 1934, the fourth of seven children born to Edith M. (Erickson) and Arthur G. Hanson of rural Portland. She attended rural Portland schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1952.  A keen student, Carol graduated from North Dakota State College, now NDSU, with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics Education in 1956.

   While at NDSU, Carol met her future husband, Orland, an Agriculture student. The two married in 1957 and made their home in Minnewauken, ND, where Carol taught high school Home Ec and Orland was employed by the ND Extension Service.

   After the birth of their first two children, Gary and Rodney, the couple returned to Traill County in April 1959 and took over the Niemeier family farm in Morgan Township.  Three more children joined the family, James, Edie, and Julie.

   Carol was a devoted farm wife and mother, raising five active children while supplying the farm operation with essential support. A member of Bethany Lutheran Church in rural Hatton for over 60 years, she was devoted to children’s education, woman’s ministries, and was especially passionate about the women's choir. Carol also volunteered her talents to the larger community, serving on the Board of Directors of Mayville Union Hospital, the Luther Memorial Home, and NoDak Rural Electric Cooperative.

   In 1996, Carol was elected District 20 Representative to the North Dakota Legislature. She served for eight years in the ND House of Representatives, where she focused on improving the lives of children and families. She co-sponsored the bill that brought universal children’s health insurance to ND, leading to access to health care for generations of North Dakota children. She was a tireless advocate for families and for the underprivileged.

   Following her retirement from the Legislature, Carol took great delight in traveling extensively, including trips with Orland and other family members to Germany, Norway, Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, and Israel. Carol also enjoyed frequent trips around the U.S. to visit her children and grandchildren. Carol especially cherished her close relationships with her siblings, her NDSU friends, her Bethany friends, and her Morgan Township neighbors.  Carol was a life-long and voracious reader, an expert seamstress and designer, and a talented cook and gardener.  A gracious hostess, her smile made everyone feel welcome.

   She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Orland; sister Ellen (David) Sundberg of Fergus Falls; sons Gary (Maren) of Fargo, Rodney (Annette) of Jamestown, and James (Carol) of DePere, WI; daughters Edie of Lakeville, MN, and Julie of Greensboro, NC; 16 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by sister Eunice Gillund and brothers John, Kenneth, Gene, and Richard Hanson.

Visitation:  Will be 5–7 PM on Monday, December 20, 2021 with a 6:30 PM Public Prayer Service at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Hatton, ND.

Burial: Will be in the Bethany Cemetery in Hatton, ND.