Carol Bulson, 77

Carol A. (McMasters) Bulson, 77, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Monday, April 1, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.

Carol was born August 31, 1946 in Austin, Minnesota to William and Gladys (Hammer) McMasters. She graduated from Austin High School in 1964. She attended and worked at Austin Junior College for a while before attending St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, graduating in 1966. Carol married Donald Bulson on February 24, 1968 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

She worked 37 years as a nurse at the Austin Medical Center, 33 of those years for the same doctor, Dr. Timothy Rietz. Even in retirement, Carol volunteered her time working at the front desk at the Medical Center. She was a lifelong member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed and years later, served on the Church Council. Carol was a member of P.E.O. and served on the board of St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Carol was an avid reader and she liked to play in the ladies golf league on Wednesdays at Meadow Greens. She loved shopping, but she didn’t always buy things unless she thought it was a good deal. Although she wasn’t a gambler, Carol enjoyed going to the casino with her mother-in-law, Kathleen. Carol cherished time spent with her family and enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play baseball, hockey and basketball.

She was preceded in death by her father, William McMasters; mother, Gladys McMasters Jones; stepfather, Charles Jones; in-laws, Kenneth and Kathleen Bulson; infant daughter; sister-in-law, Karen McMasters; brother-in-law, Jerry Bulson; and sister-in-law, Donna Gorvin.

Carol is survived by her husband, Donald Bulson of Austin; son, Andy (Mishon) Bulson of St. Cloud, MN; daughter, Jill (William) Doyle of New Brighton, MN; four grandchildren, Drew and Henry Bulson, and Olivia and Mila Doyle; siblings, John McMasters of Austin, and Kaye (Darryl) Klukow of Conger, MN; nieces, nephews and many friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 6th at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Reverend Mark Niethammer officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning. There will be a private graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Hospice in Austin, St. Olaf Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.