Carol Alexander of Boring passed away during the early morning hours on Sunday, June 6th, 2026, in Damascus, Oregon, at the age of 77.
A graveside service will be held at forest lawn cemetery, 400 SW Walters Dr, Gresham, OR, 97080 on July 10th at 11 am. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome. A celebration of life will follow in the coming months.
Carol was born Sept. 2, 1948, in Council, Idaho to Fay and Ross Muller. She was the only girl out of her mother’s 6 children. She lived her younger years in some small Idaho towns. She recalled times in mining and logging camps with no shoes. When she was a senior in high school her mother and Stepfather moved to Gresham, Oregon where she graduated high school in 1966. She remained close to her lifelong Idaho friends, attending class reunions in Council rather than Gresham.
Carol married Gary Thorsen and they had her 1st son, Craig, in 1967. Gary passed tragically very shortly after. Carol picked up the pieces and did what she had to do to provide for her and her baby. She worked multiple jobs in the Portland area; Meier & Frank, Bazar, JJ Newberry's, to name a few.
Carol met Larry Alexander in the early 1970’s when they were neighbors at a Portland duplex. In 1974 they were married. Carol, Larry and Craig made their home in Boring. In 1977 they welcomed their son Chris. The 4 of them remained in the Boring area. Having lived in 2 different locations, Carol spent over 50 years in Boring. She made many friends and loved the area.
She was involved in different things over the years; she spent many years helping her husband with fundraising for what would later become the Boring station park. She was very active with refunding groups, where she traded coupons and rebate forms to save and earn money. She helped with both her kids’ schools and activities. She was in toll painting and ceramic groups.
Carol had many interests; she always kept a nice home, creating warm and lasting memories. She was known for decorating for every season and holiday. Birthdays, sporting events, Elvis's birthday. You name it, she had decorations and dishes for any and every occasion. She especially loved Christmas time for the lights. Carol and Larry would have the biggest display in their neighborhood for many years. Carol always had flowers growing somewhere. Her patios were an elaborate display of flowerpots, hanging baskets, and décor. She doted over them daily and was so proud to show them off to her visitors. She would bring flowers to people’s houses and plant them to try and bring others some happiness.
Carol loved music. She was an Elvis fan and later in love with Alan Jackson. Carol and Larry followed Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts. They had many friends where they stayed up all night listening to music and playing cards, a lot of pinochle. Carol enjoyed her TV shows, recording many and watching them all with engrossed anticipation. She loved her soap opera “General Hospital” having begun watching it when it debuted in 1963, later recording it every day. She would at times have months or even years recorded and would watch until she was caught up. She still watched in the final weeks of her life, discussing the characters as if they were family.
Carol had a big heart; she was a natural redhead and could be as feisty as the one could be! She loved her family and remained close with them over the years. Her brothers, many aunts, uncles, and cousins that she loved dearly, both in Oregon and Idaho. She helped take care of her younger siblings after her parents’ divorce, which was something that never changed. She supported and took care of everybody. When she was 4, she informed her mother she would be going to the school basketball game with her older brothers. When she was told no, that did not sit too well with her, she stood hands on her hips and told her mother she had to go and make sure those boys behave themselves! She always thought she had to look out for her brothers, even at that tender young age. She remained close with her mother, when her mother developed Alzheimer’s, Carol took her into her home and cared for her until her passing.
Sadly, in 2015 her oldest son Craig passed away. That was very difficult for her, and she carried the pain of losing a child the rest of her life. Larry developed Parkinson’s disease and had a difficult last few years. Carol kept him at home and took care of him until the very end, often sacrificing her own health. After Larry’s passing, Carol was blessed to be able to stay in their home for many years. Her brother Monte was always close and there for her until his passing in 2019. Her brother Mike and his wife Karen remained close until the very end, helping her when she needed things, or rides to town for appointments, or mocha’s, which was a daily necessity. In her words “She’d go crazy without one!”
In July 2025 Carol suffered a bad fall breaking a hip, which started a rapid decline in health. Prior to her fall she still worked in her yard daily, as well as maintained her flowers all over her patio, things she loved to do. She still kept her home, shopped, and cooked. It was very sad to see how quickly the decline was after the fall.
Carol had a love of shopping unlike anyone we've ever seen, she would go to the store for just 3 things, returning hours later, having gone to every store in town, up and down every aisle ending up with a cart full of treasure. She’s now reunited with her loved ones that have passed before her, strolling the aisles of heaven, no longer in any discomfort. We all will miss her dearly!
Carol is survived by her son Chris Alexander (Laura) of Boring, OR.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and grandparents, her husband Larry, her son Craig Thorsen, brothers Bill Muller of Longview, WA, Ronnie Muller of Caldwell, ID, and Monte Muller of Gresham, OR.