Carol S. (Beug) Padrta

Carol S. Padrta, age 58, of Detroit Lakes, MN, died unexpectedly on Dec. 12 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes. Carol Susan Beug was born on June 15, 1959, in Luverne, MN, to Herbert and Ramona (Boisen) Beug.  As a young girl, she attended school in Luverne, and then Detroit Lakes in 1969 when her family moved to town and purchased the Coast to Coast store.  She graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1977. While attending Bemidji State University, Carol met her future husband Gary Padrta.  In 1981, Carol graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Gary graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Although they went their separate ways for a few years, Carol’s lifelong friendship with Gary’s sister while at BSU brought them back together again and they were married on June 14, 1986. Having joined the U.S. Air Force in 1985, Gary dragged Carol to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, after they were married.  In 1991, they were stationed at Spangahlem Air Base in Germany.  While in Germany they had a son, Matthew in October 1992.  Due to Matthew’s special needs, they were later transferred to Langley AFB in Virginia, and their last stop was at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota.  After separating from the service, they made their home in Detroit Lakes.  Carol took great pride in taking care of Matthew, Gary, and their cats.  She loved watching the Minnesota Twins, Trinity Broadcasting Network (Christian-based TV), Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), birds, and deer walking across the yard at dusk and early morning.  She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Gary; son, Matthew; mother, Ramona (Boisen) Beug of Detroit Lakes; brothers: David (Mary) Beug of San Antonio, TX, Bruce and Mark (Barb) Beug of Detroit Lakes, and Greg (Jacinda) Beug of Vail, AZ; uncle, Jarv (Darlene) Boisen of Luverne; aunt, Ev (Marty) Steffel of Nevis, MN; father in law, David Padrta Sr. of Mountain Home, AR; sisters in law, Barbra (Todd) Padrta Linker of Mountain Home, and Linda Beug of North Ridgeville, OH; brother in law, David (Kathy) Padrta Jr. of Cannon Falls, MN.; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Carol is preceded in death by her grandparents: John and Mabel Boisen, and Paul and Elsie Beug; father, Herbert Beug, brother, Chris; infant sister, Pamela; mother in law, Britt Padrta; and sister in law, Corrine Beug. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at West Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, Pastor Guy Roberts of Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes will be officiating.  Visitation will start at 4 p.m.  Interment will take place in the spring/summer at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.