Carol Ann Spurbeck (Ziemba) passed away peacefully on April 24, 2026, in Fargo, North Dakota.

Carol was born on November 10, 1934, in Manchester, New Hampshire. Her family moved to Michigan, where she later graduated from Detroit Eastern High School and Wayne State University, with a nursing degree.

While working in Detroit, she met her future husband, Dr. George H. Spurbeck. They spent a short time in Arizona, where Carol worked as a public health nurse. Carol and George moved to northern Minnesota and, in 1961, settled in Fargo, eventually buying a house on the glamorous northside.

Carol was a longtime and devoted member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. She also gave generously of her time to the YWCA, including helping to run its consignment store, Second Chance. Her commitment to service enriched both the community and her own life. Through her volunteer work and daily interactions, she cultivated many close and lasting friendships and she cherished the company of wonderful neighbors. Carol was unfailingly kind to children and animals and found special joy in the Christmas season.

To describe Carol as an avid birdwatcher would not do justice to the joy she found in the pursuit. From her perch in Fargo’s northside, she traveled to all seven continents, and on every trip carried a checklist for the common and rare birds one might find in the far reaches of the globe. She was just as attentive to birds in her own backyard, and for many years, she combined two joys: Christmas and birding, as she hosted the Audubon Christmas Bird Count party.

Carol is survived by her three children, Mark (Kathy) Spurbeck, Claudia (Rusty) Imes, and Roy (Morgan Holcomb) Spurbeck; numerous grandchildren, Alec, Marli, Ian, Mia, Frankie, Ruby, and Louis; and great-granddaughter, Haven. Carol is also survived by her brother, Steve (Tina) Ziemba; as well as many nephews and one niece! She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents, Edward and Marjorie Ziemba; her sister, Patricia Germain; and her grandson, Tyler Spurbeck.

A service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 20, 2026, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Fargo. Please plan to join the family after the service for coffee and a treat that Carol would have appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the YWCA of Fargo and the Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in Rochert, Minnesota.