Heaven welcomed an angel on June 1, 2025. Dr. Carol Gay Brink, age 86, died peacefully at Quiet Oaks Hospice House just outside St. Cloud, MN, surrounded by her children and her dog Issy.

            Funeral service will be Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church and lunch will be served at the church following the service. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Crystal, MN at a future date. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

            Carol was born January 9, 1939 in Minneapolis, MN to Eric and Bernice (Chamberlain) Johnson. She grew up in Edina in a home her father built near the site of what is now the Southdale Mall. Carol took the bus to downtown Minneapolis to take dance lessons starting at the age of 8. She excelled and eventually opened her own dance studio as a teenager. Carol went on to major in Physical Education/Dance at the University of Minnesota and received a PhD in Kinesiology. She was a professor at St. Cloud State University for over 30 years teaching dance classes and human anatomy. She became the department chair and lead the well-loved SCSU International Folk Dance group in the 70s and 80s. She incorporated her love of traveling and love of dance by researching dances and then sewing costumes from all over the world for the SCSU Folk Dances. Just ask to see her extensive costume doll collection! Her students loved her and became family, visiting the farm and helping with her children.

            Carol lived a beautiful and interesting life. She liked to be active in her community and with friends. She volunteered her time and money generously with her church, First Presbyterian of St. Cloud and local woman’s shelters. Through the Friends of the PEB (Presbyterian Education Board) she donated to build a small gym in a girl’s school in Pakistan, then traveled there for its dedication. Carol was passionate about education and helping women and girls in need.

Carol enjoyed traveling the globe including a trip to Japan with her daughter, Kirsten, (her high school graduation gift) and loved her many road trips to Branson to attend shows with the love of her life Billy and later with Kirsten. She cherished her visit to her father’s homeland, Sweden, with her son Eric, as well as exploring 30+ countries with friends and family over her lifetime.

Carol was a crafter and her latest creations were custom made watercolor greeting cards and painted Christmas bulbs. She loved to go to the YMCA to swim and taking her dogs for long walks. Carol was a great card player and her favorite game was Bridge, which she played right up to the end.  She loved the outdoors and the horses on her farm and enjoyed her beautiful house on the Mississippi river. She liked to camp, hike, ski and canoe with her longtime partner, Billy, who passed away a couple of years ago. Most of all Carol, like most grandmas, cherished her time with her granddaughters and family.

            Survivors include her children, Kirsten (Derek) Stendahl of St. Anthony, MN; and Eric (Martha) Horvei of Martinez, CA; granddaughters, Sofia Stendahl, Carly Stendahl, Chloe Horvei and Alenna Horvei; nieces, Tracy (Scott) Rauschkolb and Cathy (Michael) Lynum; grand nephews and niece, Greg Guidotti, Noah (Julia) Guidotti and Amira Lynum; and her many, many, friends that were so dear to her.

            She was preceded in death by her parents, her best friend and partner, Billy Paschall, brother, Noel Johnson, sister-in-law Judy Johnson, and nephew Mic Johnson.

            In lieu of flowers, memorial can be sent to Quiet Oaks Hospice or First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud.

            Carol was a central part of our family’s life. She shaped us with her love, support, opinion and approval.

            Rest easy, sweet Carol. Enjoy a dance with Billy and watch over us this summer. We love you and will miss you but also know it was your time.