Carolyn “Carol” Ann (Sabata) Stasch Grimaldo, age 88 years, of Luverne, Minn., passed away peacefully July 2, 2026, at the Sandford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
Carol was born in Bruno, Neb., on June 17, 1938, to Daniel and Vivian Sabata. She grew up on a farm and had a pet pig named Oscar. She graduated from Lincoln Northeast High in 1956 in Lincoln, Neb.
She met the “love of her life”, Marvin Laackmann later in life at a polka dance. Marvin and Carol went on to spend almost 20 years together, until Marvin’s passing in 2025. They enjoyed attending polka dances, where they met so many wonderful friends.
She had many jobs over the years. She was most proud of opening and operating Wisner Wiping Cloth in Wisner, Neb., for over 20 years.
Carol was hard working and giving. For certain, you always knew where you stood with her. She was strong and wanted you to be also “because that’s what it takes to survive in this world.” She loved deeply.
We will miss her more than we can say. We are grateful for the love she gave, the knowledge she shared and the forever lasting memories.
We send out a heartfelt thank you to all of her special friends in Luverne and the Blue Mound Apartments’ staff and tenants for helping her make it home and also to the Sandford Hospice Cottage for their loving care of our mother.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brother James Sabata, son Daniel Stasch, companion Marvin Laackmann and many dear friends.
She is survived by sons Bryan and David Stasch, daughters-in-law Lisa, Kari and Barb, grandson Cody (Ashley), grandaughter Mandi (Drew), great-grandson Teegan, great grandaughters Nora and Remi and many dear friends at the Blue Mound Apartments, former neigh-bors and many friends throughout the Midwest.
Her body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Program, per her request.
No services will be held. Future interment will be in Bruno, Neb., with her beloved father.
