Elaine Anita Carlsen

Elaine Anita Carlsen was born May 2, 1934, to Anton and Irene Sanden Edwardson in Joice, IA. She attended country schools near Joice and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1951. Following graduation, Elaine moved to Albert Lea and on March 1, 1953, was united in marriage to Dick Carlsen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. She had worked as a bookkeeper/secretary for Carlsen Companies for many years. Elaine enjoyed traveling, especially the annual trips to Florida, bird watching, dancing, and country music. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and loved lutefisk and lefse. Elaine spent 52 years with her husband who was also her best friend. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and the rest of her family. Survivors include her daughter, Wendy Nelson of Albert Lea; son, Kim Tammie Carlsen of Lakeville; grandchildren: Greg Remus of Milwaukee, Jenny Nelson and special friend, Cody Lembke of Albert Lea, Jason Nelson of Albert Lea, Wendy Carlsen and special friend, Jeff Runden of Albert Lea, Anne Carlsen of Twin Lakes, Chris Baldwin and special friend, Shelly of Farmington, and Dustin Dana Baldwin of Farmington; great-grandchildren: Jake Nelson, Mya Lembke, Nicholas and Laura Runden, Hailey Egness, and Wesley Baldwin; sister-in-law, Kathy Mike Parry of Waseca; brother-in-law, David Carlsen of Albert Lea; mother-in-law, Delores Carlsen of Albert Lea; and several nieces and nephews. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Dick.