Carol Lang

Carol Lang, age 71 passed away early Monday morning, March 8, 2021 at the Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria, MN.

Carol Marie Koivu was born on April 3, 1949 in Virginia, MN to parents, Onni and Eunice (Leppanen) Koivu.  She was their only daughter and was raised with one brother, Robert.  She grew up on the Iron Range and attended and graduated from Cherry High School in 1967.  After receiving her bachelor degree from Bemidji State College for Art Education, Carol was hired as a Art Instructor at Osakis High School in Osakis, MN in 1971.  She was married to Ray Lang in Osakis in 1976.  Carol would spend her entire teaching career in her colorful art room instructing the students at OHS.  She was a beautiful painter herself and especially enjoyed doing landscapes.  She took pride in the many achievements her students accomplished under her patient direction.  She had a natural rapport with students of any age and they loved to stay long after school ended working on projects and visiting with her.  She retired in 2007 after 36  rewarding years teaching and creating.  She liked to end her Friday classes with a reminder to have

‘a chemically free-weekend.’  She was known for this and something she was very proud of through all her years. Having bought a home directly across from the school, Carol stayed involved with the place and people she knew best.  She loved to attend and cheer for the various OHS sports teams, but especially liked watching the basketball and football teams.  Every fall students would collect jack-o-lanterns and assorted pumpkins from around town and deposit them on Carol’s doorsteps.  With her artistic eye and talented hands, she enjoyed creating many types of artwork, especially calligraphy work and woodburning projects.  Cooking was another of her talents and she loved to be working in the kitchen with her favorite soap operas playing in the background.  Her greatest masterpieces however, were her seven grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart.  They called her Grandma Cha Cha and she loved to make them laugh.  She was a loving and devoted mother, grandma and sister-in-law who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Mandy (Jeff) Lien of Alexandria and son, Darin (Jesi) Lang of Parkers Prairie; grandchildren, Hannah and Tyson Lien, Claire Wessel, Willow, River, Evrhett and Penelope Lang; her sister-in-law, Joyce Koivu of Gilbert, MN.  Preceding her in death are her parents and brother.

Visitation hours are from 4 – 8 pm on Thursday, March 11 at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.

Funeral services for Carol will be held on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Osakis Lutheran Church with Rev. Rich Fitzer officiating.  Music will be performed by soloist, Lenny Boogaard and organist, Vicki Hinrichs.  Inurnment will be at her family plot in the Forbes Cemetery near Evelyth, MN.  Condolences and memories may be left on her Tribute Wall at www.royhetland.com.  Roy-Hetland Funeral Home of Osakis, MN was honored to help with arrangements.