Carolyn Kay Kosidowski

Carolyn K. Kosidowski, age 81, of Alexandria, formerly of Winona, died on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Nelson Care Center by Vivie in Alexandria.

A visitation will begin at 4 p.m. and conclude with parish prayers at 5 p.m., on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Winona.

Carolyn Kay Maertens was born on July 11, 1943, to George and Jessie (Adams) Maertens in Marshall. She was baptized and confirmed at the Saint Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. Raised in Taunton, Carolyn attended grade school there and graduated from Minneota High School in 1960. She went on to attend Winona State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in French, graduating in 1964. On October 12, 1963, she married Jon Kosidowski at her home church. The couple made their home in Winona, and after college, Carolyn taught in Trempealeau, Wisconsin for a short period. Later, she became the Social Editor for the Winona Daily News and had the opportunity to interview notable figures such as Mother Teresa and Olivia Newton-John. Carolyn and Jon raised nine children together. She continued her career at Winona State University as an advisor until retiring in 2008. The family moved to Wadena for a short period before returning to Winona in 1984, and in 2022, the couple relocated to Alexandria to be closer to their family. Carolyn was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria and had been a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona for more than 40 years. She was also a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and the Teachers’ Education Association. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, knitting, baking, attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, and, most of all, spending quality time with her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Nancy; brother, George Maertens, Jr.; and nephew, Damian Maertens. 

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jon; sons, Michael (Keevan) Kosidowski of Eagan, Timothy (Jane) Kosidowski of Apple Valley, Jeffrey (Tamie) Kosidowski of Laguna Hills, California, Graig (Carolyn) Kosidowski of Rosemont; Bryan (Mari) Kosidowski of Sauk Rapids, Brett (Erin) Kosidowski of Farmington, Sean (Kari) Kosidowski of Peoria, Arizona; daughters, Kelly (Lee) Hein of Kensington and Kathryn (Daniel) Lynch of Maple Grove; brother, Kenneth (Marcia) Maertens of Puyallup, Washington; nephew, Nathan (DeAnna) Maertens of Penn Valley, California; 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way. 

The family prefers memorials.