Carlene Aastrom Root, age 77, of Miles City, MT passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2020, in her home under hospice care by her daughter Mitzi May Holder.
She was born July 8, 1943, in Lewistown, MT, the daughter of Carl and Clara (Grinde) Aastrom. The Aastroms moved to Kinsey, MT in 1945, where Carlene attended Kinsey elementary school and went on to graduate from Custer County High School in 1961.
Carlene worked at Safeways where she met and married Clarence Root on July 16, 1970 in the First Lutheran Church of Miles City, MT. They were married for 43 years until Clarence passed in 2013. She also worked at the Holy Rosary Hospital, Ben Franklins, Buttreys where she retired in 1996, and Albertsons.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was active in the United Methodist Women, Mary Martha Circle, and numerous volunteer activities within the church.
Carlene enjoyed playing cards, RV camping, and traveling to visit friends and relatives. In recent years, she enjoyed her annual game of Monopoly with her grandson, Alexander, on his annual visits with his mom, Mitzi. Her talents and hobbies were: sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, baking (best cinnamon rolls according to friends and her grandson). Some years ago, Carlene and Clarence had started making quilts together, selling them on eBay and as gifts to family members. Clarence would design the pattern, cut the squares and Carlene would sew the pieces into the finished quilt. Together, they participated in the local farmer’s market, selling baked goods, embroidered items and quilts.
Carlene is survived by her daughter, Mitzi May Holder and grandson, Alexander Lee Holder, Jr. of Springfield, VA; her sister, Patty Koch of Lewistown, MT, and brother, Charles Aastrom of Bullhead City, AZ; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Root; her parents, Carl and Clara Aastrom.
Upon cremation, the interment of the ashes of Carlene and Clarence Root will be at the Custer County Cemetery at a later date in the year.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church of Miles City, MT, Custer County Fund for Animals (CCFA) at 2200 Box Elder #133, Miles City, MT 59301, or a charity of their choice.
Julie Harbaugh says
Dang Mitzy, So sorry for your loss. Love ya girl. Julie Harbaugh.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
my sympathy
Ruben and June Opp says
To all of Carlene’s family,our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time ,we enjoyed having Carlene and Clarence in the neighborhood for several years.May God bless and comfort you all now and in the days ahead.
Ruben and June Opp
Esther says
She was a good neighbor and friend who we will miss greatly, May God bless you and help you though this time in your mother’s passing. God be with you and her family ….Ern,Esther&Terry
John and Kristi Celander says
Mitzi, we just learned of Carlene’s passing this morning. Our deepest condolences.
Mary Notbohm says
Root family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Denise Oberlander Harvey says
Such a thoughtful person! We have a prayer shawl that she made when my husband had some health issues and it is much treasured. May God Bless You with cherished memories of a precious soul.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Ruben Oberlander
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
To all the family, so very sorry to hear of Carlene’s passing. We go back many years going to Kinsey School together, along with other memories.
My sincere sympathy to you all.
Bernadette says
I’ve known Carlene for years – we worked together back in the Ben Franklin Dept Store days on Main Street. And she made the best carmel rolls in the world, and she always sold out at farmers market. I missed seeing her at market and ran into her occasionally at the grocery store or other places. She was a good friend with a listening ear and always a kind word.
myrna Mulkey Higgins says
was very special to grow up in Kinsey community with wonderful people like Carlene. Especially remember her helping out with the church’s VBS program one summer while I was attending with my siblings. She was just a nice, nice person. Prayers for all her family
Peggy (Quinlan) Certain says
Mitzi, Our deepest sympathy to you. Your mother loved you dearly.
God bless you, Peggy & Brian
Beth Riggs says
I will miss her as a friend and sister of Christ. We shared much through the Miles City Methodist Church. God send his loving Grace to family and friends.
Cathy Willson Gamrath says
My condolences to Carlene’s family. Carlene and I were members of the CCHS class of 1961. I always liked her in high school. I last saw her at the last all ’60’s reunion and her health was beginning to fail then, so I wasn’t surprised that she passed away, just very sad.
Kaye Rainey Taylor says
I am so sorry for your loss. Carlene and I worked together at Safeway, in the bakery. It was my first real job on weekends and after school. She was very kind and understanding teaching me my duties. I will always remember her fun personality! I’m sorry we didn’t keep in touch.
My prayers are with you all.
Karen Hawkinson says
Our condolences to Carlene’s family whom she dearly loved. I worked (and played) with Carlene through the Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women (she sometimes was my travelling partner), the Prayer Shawl group, and even Pilates classes with Samar. I so treasured her friendship and will miss her a great deal. Prayers of comfort to all who knew and loved Carlene.
Marie root says
Carlene and hoot (clarence) were such a wonderful couple and their co-creativity an excellent example of their compatibility. Carlene maintained contact with mom (rita root) for the duration of mom’s life. She was a truly lovely and loving person. Rest in peace, carlene.
Troy Ferris says
Dear Mitzi,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was such a pleasure to visit with. Lots of fond memories of 711 Ore. Got to meet you both there. Our prayers are with you.
Pam Rogge says
My prayers and condolences to Carlene’s family. Rest in peace Carlene.
Wanda Bankey says
So sorry. She was such a sweet person. I worked with her at the old hospital where I learned from her. I will miss not seeing her at church. My prayers are with you.
Alexander L. Holder says
Our thoughts are prayers are with you, Mitzi, and all of Carlene’s family. She was a loving mother and grandmother. -Alex Holder Sr., Alex Holder Jr. and Peggy Holder Stubs
Christina Ostendorf says
I’ve enjoyed Carlene at church over the last 10 years. She was a sweet person and was always willing to help if she felt she could. She was the sunshine chair for our Mary-Martha circle and sent cards to people for celebrations and times of support,. She tried to help me learn to crochet with the Helping Hands and Prayer Shawl
Ministry, so I’m fairly certain she was a saint. She supported my kids’ fundraisers when she could and I didn’t ever hear her say an unkind word about anyone. She was loved and we will miss her. I’m sorry for her loss.
Berta Cauthron says
Sorry to learn of Carlene’s passing. Another loss for the Class of ’61….although I wish we could have had our reunion in September, it wouldn’t have been the same without Carlene. My condolences to her family and other friends.
Rita Mulkey George says
Alway enjoyed visiting with Charlene, a very nice person. Memories of times at Kinsey with here. Prayers for her Family.
Elsie O'Daniel Kennedy says
I was shocked to hear of Carlene’s passing. I too was looking forward to seeing Carlene at our ’61 class reunion which will not happen
with the Virus changing so many lives. One summer while visiting Miles City, she and I shared our class memories from many years
ago and later continued on as Email friends. I seldom get back to Miles City but enjoyed hearing about our friends and class mates through Carlene. Her great disposition and many talents will be greatly missed by many people.. Elsie O’Daniel Kennedy
Michael Mangen says
So sorry for your loss. I worked with her at Safeway, she was a very nice lady.
Mike Mangen