April 3, 1961– October 12, 2024

Caryl Ann Schlapkohl was born on April 3, 1961, to Robert Dean and Barbara Ann (Schmidt) Hurd in Tyler, Minnesota.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton.  She grew up in the Lake Benton, Minnesota, area and attended school in Lake Benton.  During her school years she loved playing sports including basketball, volleyball, softball, and track.  She also played baritone in the marching band.  After graduating from Lake Benton High School in 1979 she began working at Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water until 1983.  She then worked at the Lake Benton Library until 1986. 

On September 6, 1986, she was united in marriage to her lifelong friend, Daryl Schlapkohl, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.  The two of them raised three beautiful children, Mike, ElsieAnn, and Jon; Caryl loved her time at home caring for the kids.  Even after her children were grown, Caryl continued to keep and care for her home.  She treasured the extra time she had to spend with family members and especially Daryl.  Caryl passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Avera Tyler Hospital in Tyler at the age of 63.

Caryl grew up attending St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton and was an active member there, singing in the church choir and helping the Dorcas Society.  Caryl had a strong foundation in her faith and remained faithful even through her arthritis diagnosis and the challenge of not being able to attend church in person each week.  During COVID times, she and Daryl began watching the live streams from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, S.D.  When Caryl felt up to going to church, they attended the Woodstock Community Church.  They became a part of that church family and appreciated the connections they built there as well.

Caryl loved her family and grandkids dearly.  She enjoyed watching her grandkids play sports, shopping for them, and spending as much time with them as she could.  Their special family trips to Disney World, Montana, and Minnesota Twins games in the Twin Cities will be remembered by all who attended.  She liked to play cards and games, watch football, and cook and make snacks for Vikings games.  During this time of the year she loved to hand paint pumpkins and gift them to her kids and grandkids.  She and Daryl loved spending time with each other sitting outside; they enjoyed a dish of ice cream together every evening.  

Those who loved Caryl will remember her telling them that “it’s gonna be okay” and finishing each phone call with “I love you.”  She had a good memory for dates and always sent you a card so you knew she was thinking of you on your special day.  She was selfless, always putting others ahead of herself.  She will be missed dearly.

Caryl is lovingly remembered by her husband, Daryl, of Lake Benton; three children, Mike (Shannen) Schlapkohl of Sioux Falls, ElsieAnn (Kyle) Blom of Edgerton, and Jon (Kristin) Schlapkohl of Sioux Falls; six grandchildren, Griffen, Liam, and Tilly Schlapkohl, Lauren Blom, and Evie and Couyer Schlapkohl; her mother, Barb Hurd of Lake Benton; two brothers, Jeff Hurd of Brandon, South Dakota, and Mark Hurd of Lake Benton; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert “Bob” Hurd; in-laws, Vernon and Eunice Schlapkohl; sisters-in-law, Connie Hurd and Diane Schlapkohl; and brothers-in-law, Duane Schlapkohl and Robert Willert.