Carla Rae Malecha

Carla Rae Malecha, age 75, of Faribault, MN, passed away June 23, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna, MN.

Carla Rae, the daughter of Reynold and Evelyn (Ambuehl) Erickson, was born on November 13, 1950, in St. Paul, MN. She graduated from Fertile-Beltrami High School with the class of 1968. Carla was united in marriage to Luverne J. Malecha on March 21, 1970, in Crookston, MN. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for 16 years, working at the Crookston Hospital, Three Links Care Center, St. Lucas Care Center, and Faribault Manor. Carla also provided day care for her grandchildren. She loved crafts, scrapbooking, and playing cards. Carla enjoyed spending time with family, especially over food. She enjoyed watching TV, with the Timberwolves basketball games, FBI, and Law & Order being her favorites. Carla loved writing poems and listening to music, especially Elvis and 50s and 60s music. She made homemade cards and bookmarkers for everyone from family to the mailperson, and nurses. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a life member of the VFW Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Luverne Malecha; children, Melissa Regenscheid, Melinda (wife) Malecha, and Michele (John) Harris; six grandchildren, Destiny Regenscheid, Katerena Regenscheid, Annabelle Regenscheid, Lucas Regenscheid, McKenna Harris, and Tyler Harris; sister, Alice Choate; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reynold and Evelyn; sister, Kathy Santana; and nephew, Jeffery Hemmingson.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home, 1725 Lyndale Ave N., Faribault, with Deacon Dan Murphy, officiating. Interment will be at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at a later date.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.