Carol N. Cottingham, 81

Published 8:40 am Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Carol N. Cottingham, 81

Carol N. Cottingham, 81, of Austin, Minnesota, died Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.

Carol (Erickson) Cottingham was born Sept. 25, 1937, to Marvin and Burnice “Bunny” Erickson in Preston, Minnesota. Carol grew up in Austin and graduated from Austin High School and Mankato State University with a bachelor of science degree in teaching. She proudly raised two sons, Gregg and Jeff. Carol taught fifth grade in the southern Minnesota area until 1981. In 1982, Carol and her husband, Roland Cottingham, traveled to Moshi, Tanzania, to be missionaries. Carol discovered a new meaning to her life and loved helping people. In 1985, she traveled to Wau, Morube Province, Papua New Guinea, as a teacher, boarding parent and lecturer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a position she held until she retired in 2002. Over those years, she traveled to countless countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Survivors include her son, Gregg (Laurie) Cottingham; grandson, Ethen Cottingham; brother, Chuck (Carol) Erickson; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friend, Cheryl Bruggeman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and son, Jeff Cottingham.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at Mayer Funeral Home. The celebration is informal, as Carol would have loved it. Anyone whose life was touched by Carol is welcome to come share their experiences with all of us. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.