David Carlsen

David Charles Carlsen, age 83, passed away December 26, 2024, at the Woodlands at St. John’s on Fountain Lake. A memorial service will be held at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home at 2 PM on Thursday, January 2. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Per his wishes, David will be buried with his mom at Graceland Cemetery.

David was born November 10, 1941, to Donald and Dolores (Edwin) Carlsen. He attended school in Albert Lea. As a young man, he worked at the Albert Lea Bakery. From 1961 to 1991, he worked at Wilsons/Farmstead and later worked at Wal-Mart and as a custodian at a day care center in Albert Lea. On November 18, 1961, David was united in marriage to Sandra (Hagen). The couple had three daughters, Laurie, Lisa and Amy. They later divorced.

David had a great love of animals. Throughout his life, he had many horses, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and one goat. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed having flowers and plants to take care of outside his home. In his free time, he enjoyed driving his convertibles and old trucks he had over many years. He really enjoyed a special trip to Las Vegas as he was a huge Elvis fan. David was a past member of the Moose Club and was a 45-year active member of the Eagles Club. Above all, David’s greatest love was his family. He was a proud dad, grandpa and great grandpa. He was known to his family as “Charlie” and his niece, Wendy, used to say “Charlie’s Angels” when he was with his three girls.

David is survived by his daughters, Laurie (Terry) David, Lisa Carlsen (Nicho Madrigal), Amy (Dave) Stanek; grandchildren, Ben (Rebecca) Martinson, Ashley Pehrson, Matt Madrigal (Tara Hertges), Dan (Gabby) Martinson, Kirsten (Travis) Fuerstenberg, Emily (Connor) O’Sell; great-grandchildren, Jacobi Madrigal, Joseph Martinson, Jayden Madrigal, Madison Martinson, Jax Pehrson, Kylie Fuerstenberg, Aubrey Fuerstenberg, Madilyn Madrigal, Elayna O’Sell, Sophia O’Sell, Lucy O’Sell, Charlotte Martinson, Bobbie Martinson; sister Kathy Parry; Niece, Michelle (Chad) Pederson; nephew, Dustin (Suzanne) Parry; aunt and uncle Marlys (Sid) Johnson; great niece Jennifer Nelson; great nephews, Jason Nelson and Greg Remus; many cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law Dick (Elaine); niece Wendy Nelson; nephew, Kim Carlsen; great niece, Anne Marie Carlsen; aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to thank the St. Croix Hospice and all the caretakers at St. John’s on Fountain Lake for the exceptional care of David. Thank you, also, to special friends, Becki and Denny.

In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to St. Croix Hospice. Please make checks payable to “Hospice Support Foundation”.

The memorial service will live-streamed, and can be watched below, or from the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home Youtube page at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/iNKCNWpyeoQ?feature=share