Carole Jean Hotchkiss, 85, of New Prague, MN, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at New Perspective Assisted Living in Prior Lake, MN. She was born January 3, 1941, in Kasson, the son of Herman and Letha (Brown) Eggert. Carole attended school in Dodge Center. She married Lyle Timm on June 14, 1957, and lived in the Wasioja area until his death in 1968. She subsequently married Benjamin Hotchkiss on April 25, 1970, and they moved to Farmington, MN, and then Lakeville, MN. Following her divorce from Benjamin in 1993, she spent time and lived with her special friend, Orlin Kuenzel, in Webster, MN, until his death in 2015, at which time she moved to New Prague, MN.
Besides being a homemaker, Carole also worked doing hotel housekeeping and at various manufacturing companies. Carole was a musician, who couldn’t read music but played by ear. She loved to play the piano and accordion, and always reminded you she could play several other instruments as well, and played in polka bands with good friends of hers at the local dance halls.
She also loved to dance, go to garage sales, play bingo, spend time gardening in her flower gardens and listening to polka and country music on the radio. She loved butterflies and cardinals.
She is survived by her daughter, Julie Carlson (Tom) of Bradenton, FL, and sons, Jody Timm (Jane) of Hillsboro, TN, and Jamie Timm (Vicki) of Apple Valley, MN; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; sister, Janet Canfield of Osseo and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Timm; son, Jerry Hotchkiss; two sisters and eight brothers.
Visitation will be held at White Funeral Home, Lakeville, MN, on Sunday, September 13, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at St. John's Lutheran Church of Kasson on Monday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran of Kasson with Pastor John Weisenburger officiating. Interment will be in the Wildwood Cemetery in Wasioja Township.
Online condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com