Carrol Thomas Juven

Celebration of Life: https://vimeo.com/event/5044019

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/Q9T5J2B3S5HY7NKB

Carrol T. Juven, 88, of Fargo, North Dakota, known affectionately as "Mr. Norway," passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025. A loving family man and dedicated cultural ambassador, Carrol enjoyed sharing his passion for Norwegian heritage with his family, friends, and the thousands whose lives he touched throughout his lifetime.

Born on August 12, 1936, in Breckenridge, Minn., Carrol grew up on the family farm near Wyndmere, N.D. He was baptized and confirmed in the Gol-Al Norwegian Lutheran Church. His Norwegian heritage, with grandparents who emigrated from Gol, Hallingdal and Flesborg, Numedal in Norway, shaped his lifelong mission to preserve, promote, and perpetuate Norwegian culture.

The family moved to Fergus Falls, Minn. when he was 12. He enjoyed his rural upbringing and living on the farm. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School and moved to Fargo.

On June 29, 1957, he was united in marriage to Barbara Brunsvold at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. They made their home in Colfax, N.D., then moved to Fargo. They had three children, Mark, Rebecca (Becky), and Jon.

A visionary cultural ambassador, Carrol led an astounding 181 trips to Norway beginning in 1967, guiding thousands of Norwegian-Americans to connect with their ancestral homeland. His "Hands Across the Sea" program became legendary, featuring his meticulously organized 10-14 day schedules that blended cultural performances, genealogy research, and the beloved "Treff Program" where travelers could meet local Norwegians.

In 1966, Carrol joined the Sons of Norway, where his leadership transformed the organization. As Field Staff Regional Manager, he increased membership by thousands, chartered 29 new lodges across North Dakota, Montana, and Canada, and rebuilt 28 others. His innovative programs, including the District Four Norway Flight program, the Concordia College Skogfjorden Norwegian language village, and the popular Kringen Lodge Bus Tours, provided countless Americans with opportunities to embrace their heritage. For his exceptional leadership, he received the "Manager of the Year" award for four consecutive years (1971-1974).

Carrol's dedication to Norwegian-American relations earned him Norway's highest honor, the "St. Olav Medal," presented by H.M. King Harald V in 2015, recognizing his outstanding service in strengthening bonds between Norway and the USA.

Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Carrol founded Juven Tours and Travel with his wife, Barbara, a business they built together over decades of dedicated partnership. He pioneered sister-city relationships including Fargo-Hamar, Minot-Skein, and Hillsboro-Ål Hallingdal, founded the Kringen Klub for Sons of Norway, organized the first amateur soccer competition between Norwegian and American teams in 1983, and led travel groups to World Cup tournaments.

A gifted speaker and master of ceremonies, Carrol served the Norsk Høstfest since 1979 and was inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also inducted into the Fergus Falls MN Hall of Fame in 2016. He remained active in numerous fraternal and cultural organizations, serving as past president of the North Dakota Fraternal Congress and Grand Representative for the Grand Lodge of Free Masons.

Carrol embodied the harmony between American citizenship and ancestral pride. "I am proud to be an American," he often said, "but there is no sign that I must discard my Norwegian heritage." Growing up in a home where Norwegian was spoken daily, Carrol carried this cultural foundation throughout his life, weaving Norwegian traditions into his daily activities and dedicating himself to preserving these connections for future generations.

Those who traveled with Carrol to Norway often recall his favorite icebreaker when introducing Americans to their Norwegian counterparts: "We're all family here—some of us just took a 150-year detour through North Dakota!" His quick wit and storytelling abilities made him a favorite dinner speaker throughout the Midwest, known for finding humor in the cultural connections between Norway and America. When he spoke, he commanded the room with a natural warmth that made everyone feel welcome and included.

Carrol's passion for Norwegian culture extended to its cuisine. He took on the personal mission of introducing people to lutefisk with unmistakable enthusiasm. "It's absolutely wonderful... food from the gods," he would say with such a convincing tone and well-timed pause that even the most hesitant would find themselves willing to try it. For those of us that knew him, you can almost hear his voice inflections as he would deliver that message... "Uff, isn't that won-der-ful...". His love for these traditions was matched only by his generosity of spirit—he would do anything for anyone who needed assistance, a quality that endeared him to countless friends and acquaintances throughout his life.

Carrol is survived by his loving wife Barbara Juven, who steadfastly stood by him and supported both the family and family business throughout their journey together; children Mark (Vicki) Juven, Rebecca Idso, Jon (Karla) Juven; grandchildren Kristen (Tanaya Reitz) Juven, Eric Juven, Ingrid (Travis) Dent, Maren (Eric) Bilgrien, Kylie (Joe) Mersinger, Anthony Juven and Nathan Juven; and great-grandchildren Nora Dent, Wyatt Dent, and Rosie Ruth Bilgrien; sisters DiaAnn Juven Smidt, Ardeith Richter; brother Reginald (Janice) Juven; brother-in-law Dean (Carole) Baker; and many nieces and nephews. His family was his greatest joy, and he took immense pride in instilling Norwegian culture and traditions in younger generations. His children and grandchildren were always exceptionally proud of him and his contributions to preserving their heritage. He was preceded in death by his parents Ole and Clara Juven, son-in-law Sheldon Idso, brothers-in-law Lawrence Richter and Telford Wollan, sisters-in-law Joanne Wollan and Marilyn Baker, and niece Angela Juven.

A memorial service celebrating Carrol's extraordinary life will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Sons of Norway Foundation is a heartfelt way to honor Carrol's lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting Norwegian heritage.

There is something profound to be said about a man who dedicated his life to connecting others with family members and helping them rediscover their lineage. To Carrol and those who joined him, these journeys were far more than trips—they were homecomings of the heart, bridges across generations, and the rekindling of cultural bonds that time and distance had dimmed but never extinguished.

Carrol leaves behind a legacy not only for his immediate family but for the thousands who experienced his cultural exchange programs and found pieces of themselves they never knew were missing. His family is incredibly proud of him and will continue to share his legacy and love for connecting people with their roots. As he often reminded those he guided to their ancestral homeland, "We don't truly know where we're going until we understand where we came from."

In the quiet moments when stories of Norway are shared, when distant relatives reconnect, or when a piece of family history is uncovered, listen closely—you might just hear the echo of Carrol's voice leading one final toast: "Skål! To good friends, good health, and to the ties that bind us across generations and seas." For in each such moment, his spirit lives on, continuing to bridge the distance between who we are and where we came from. Skål, Mr. Norway. Skål.