Carol June Gilchrist

Carol J. (Bourne) Gilchrist of Alexandria, Minnesota, formerly of Maui, Hawaii and Olivia, Minnesota, passed away at the age of 98 on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Bethany on the Lake nursing home.

Carol was born on June 29, 1926 on the home farm in Rosewood Township, Montevideo, Minnesota to Halvor and Amanda (Hawkinson) Bourne. She attended country school through 8th grade at District #33, about ¾ miles from home where her mother, Amanda, once was a school teacher. The next 4 years she commuted by school bus to Montevideo Central Highschool, graduating in 1944. Carol’s studies prepared her for bookkeeping and secretarial work.

After graduation, she served as a secretary at Union State Bank and later as a bookkeeper in the credit department of Montgomery Wards in Montevideo, Minnesota. After a brief time, she ventured to Los Angeles, California where she was employed by the California Bank selling and redeeming United States savings bonds during the later war years. Returning to Minnesota, she served as secretary and bookkeeper at Duininck Bros and Gilchrist, a bituminous road contracting company in Olivia, Minnesota.

On July 31, 1946, Carol married David Gilchrist II, making their home in Olivia, Minnesota. Five sons were born to them: David III, James, Robert, John, and Charles. While living in Olivia, she serves as a Den Mother in Cub Scouts. Carol was a member of American Legion Auxiliary, Olivia Ladies Golf Club, Faith United Church being active in the women’s group. Carol also served as Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and enjoyed ladies Bridge Club as well as couples Bridge Club.

In 1971, the family moved to Maui, Hawaii where they made their home for 13 years. While in Hawaii, Carol was employed as manager of a camera and gift shop in a tourist shopping area. She especially liked the warm weather of Hawaii because it freed her of aches and pains of her arthritis. In 1984, they moved to Alexandria, Minnesota. Carol was an avid perennial gardener and also enjoyed the art of needlepointing, creating numerous pillows, pictures, etc.

Carol is survived by four sons, David III, Charles (Teri), John (Char) of Alexandria, Minnesota, and Robert (Peg) of Prior Lake, Minnesota; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marlys Borstad of Madison, Minnesota and Margaret Casler of Alexandria, Minnesota; a brother, Richard Bourne of Vista, California.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, David, son James, sisters Marian, Alma, Pauline, and Doris, two brothers Bert and Robert, and her parents, Halvor and Amanda.

May her soul rest in peace.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at the Olivia, Minnesota Cemetery.