Carla Augusta Christine (Lindstrom) Cronholm peacefully passed away with her family at her side on May 8, 2024. She was 92 years old. Carla was born on August 18, 1931 in Oakton, IL to Arvie and Edna Lindstrom.
The family moved to a farm near Princeton, MN where she spent her youth. On a summer break while attending the University of Minnesota, Carla worked at a lakeside lodge in Northern Minnesota. John Cronholm was working there too, and soon John and Carla were an item.
They were married on December 27, 1952 and were devoted to each other the rest of their lives. Carla graduated from the University of Minnesota prior to their marriage, and after John's service in Korea in the Air Force they moved to Northfield, MN where John completed college. Carla and John were true partners throughout their lives.
There were many moves in Minnesota and South Dakota and Carla managed them all. Their final move was to Helena, MT in 1970 and to paraphrase Jimmy Buffett, "they had found themselves a home". Over the next fifty plus years they loved their life in Montana.
Carla loved to entertain for friends and family. Her holiday tables are famous among those who were there. She was an amazing hostess, cook, seamstress, needleworker, quilter, knitter and a crafter extraordinaire.
Carla was also famous for her contributions to meals on many floats down the Smith—which once you could do pretty easily. For one float, Carla had a cake for dessert the first night and carried the cake on her la.