Ken Johan Carlson, 80
Karl Johan Carlson, 80, of Park Rapids, MN, died on Friday, October 4, 2019, at Fargo Sanford Health. He was born at home to Abner and Nicoline (Kjorsvik) Carlson on May 19, 1939, in Robbin, MN. He attended Johnson Country School and nearby Drayton High School, graduating in 1957. He loved sports and played as many sports as he could in high school and was catcher for the Drayton High School state baseball team. With a love for music, he attended Mayville State College for 4 years where he participated in both band and choir, graduating in 1962 with a major in Music Education. On June 8, 1962, he married Barbara Maurseth in Northwood, ND.
Karl taught music for 37 years, teaching 3 years in Page, ND, 22 years in Karlstad, MN, and 12 years at Park Rapids. He won multiple music awards, was Teacher of the Year, and was a member of Minnesota Educator Academy (MEA).
For many years he sang in the “Reunion Four” quartet. Years later, he played with the world famous “Wizards of Kazoo”.
He was very supportive of his children and grandchildren and never missed an event. He especially loved volleyball and received a Minnesota State High School League volunteer service award. He was good at building furniture, making gadgets for volleyball, and became “Mr. Fixit” to his neighbors at Summerfield. He was a long time member at First Lutheran in Karlstad and a long time member at Calvary Lutheran in Park Rapids. Karl loved the lake. He loved to teach, loved his coffee crew, loved visiting with people, but most of all, he loved to make other people happy.
Karl impacted many lives. His heart was as selfless as it comes. He had a heart of GOLD. He gave his heart to thousands of students, athletes, coaches, and community members. Whenever he walked into a room, the energy perked up. He made people smile and his favorite thing to say when asked to have a good day was, “I will, and if I don’t, it’s my fault!”
Karl was preceded in death by his parents, Abner and Nicoline; his sister, Mangeline; and his brothers, Lyle and Dallas.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Barbara Carlson; daughter, Stephanie Hanson; son, Karl (Steph) Carlson; sister, Joan (Jim) Evenson; grandchildren, Breck Hanson, Riley Hanson, Kaleb Carlson, Kennedy Carlson, and Kamree Carlson.
Memorial Services will be held on Friday, October 18, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, October 17, 2019, from 6 until 8 PM at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.
Friends may leave online condolences at ceasefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids, MN.
Cease Family Funeral Homes
