Carrie Tokheim

Mary Caroline Knight Tokheim (“Carrie”) of Hastings, MN passed away on May 9, 2024 at 85 years, surrounded by family and much love.  She was preceded in death by parents Jack and Winifred Knight and baby son Christopher.  She is survived by husband Roger, sons Dan (spouse Natalie) and Marshall (spouse Rachael), sister Jackie, and four grandchildren Jack, Anna, Alex, and Matthew.

Carrie’s life represented themes of faith, encouragement, teaching, grace, fervent advocacy for all God’s children, and a deep connection with the passage of life represented by rivers (“old man river, he just keeps rollin’ along”).  Her life followed five unique acts.

ACT 1: Development years in Gallipolis (on the banks of the Ohio River) and at Ohio University.  Known for hard work (family owned Knight’s Department store and summer lifeguarding), superior intellect, and a growing call to fight injustice and meet the needs of others.

ACT 2: English teaching career in Cleveland and the Twin Cities.  Master’s Degree in Education from St. Cloud State on the banks of the Mississippi River.  Known for intelligence, encouragement, creative connection with students, and brutally honest editing of compositions (just ask Carrie’s kids and grandkids!)

ACT 3: Loving stay-home mother, lay leader at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church (in the “two Rivers” region of the Twin Cities), refugee advocate, and one of Luther Seminary’s earliest second-career women Divinity program graduates. Known for teaching, encouragement and clear emerging understanding of her next life calling.

ACT 4: 20+ year pastor primarily serving at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hastings, Minnesota (another Mississippi River town.)  Known for grace, servant leadership, social justice, and encouragement to thousands in growing their faith and facing life’s joys and struggles.  And known for spirited but grace-filled challenge against those wishing to limit or exclude others from God’s promises.

ACT 5: Retiree focused on spiritual leadership, guiding and spoiling grandchildren, prayer advocacy, dwelling in Hastings with a view overlooking the Mississippi River, snowbirding between Minnesota and Florida, working out in the pool, and providing wise and grace-filled words of encouragement to anyone she encountered.  She faced multiple heath challenges spanning almost two decades, but fought diligently to maintain her health and positive impact to loved ones.  Sadly, but appropriately, she left her earthly body on Ascension Day.

Carrie’s legacy is evident in those she impacted, encouraged, challenged, and nurtured.  A great source of joy was her family, and she was constantly engaged in “doing life” with husband Roger, spending time with children and grandchildren, organizing family events, wintering in Florida near her dear sister Jackie, and offering prayer and encouragement to many (always perfectly timed and insightfully on-point).

Carrie’s family offers deepest thanks to her healthcare teams at Health Partners and Regions Hospital who directed her care and sustained her health. And to friends who consistently prayed for and encouraged her.  And especially to the Regions cancer center nursing staff who provided care with exceptional skill and compassion, and who helped her transition to her next Act.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Carrie, our beloved wife, mom, gramma, sister, pastor, teacher, and friend. But we take encouragement that her earthly struggles are finished and her heavenly adventure is beginning with the God she loved and served.

Carrie's life will be celebrated in a private family event at a future date.