David C. Carlson

David C. Carlson, 82, Minocqua, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 27, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous three-year-battle with kidney disease.

David was born at home in November 1940, in Stephen, MN, to Clarence and Bernice Carlson. He was raised and educated in Stephen and graduated high school from Northwest School of Agriculture, Crookston. Following high school, David attended Concordia College, Moorhead, where he earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in biology and economics. From 1963 to 1969, David served as a medical corpsman in the U.S. Army Reserve. While serving, he worked as a dental assistant and in the hospital. David farmed with his father and brother for a number of years before starting his own seed potato and small-grain farming operation. In the 1980s, this hard-working man with an entrepreneurial spirit, ventured into a new way of raising seed potatoes, starting a business of tissue culture production. At the age 60, David retired from farming and started his cabinetry business, showcasing his artistic and creative abilities. He worked closely with his customers to design numerous cherished, custom pieces that will live on for years to come. David retired from the cabinetry business just last year, at the age of 82. He would have been 83 in November. 

In 1964, David married Carolyn Ryden and together raised their children Kathryn and Brian in Stephen. While the marriage didn’t last, they continued to have a deep respect for each other and adored their children. 

In 1993, David moved to Bemidji, MN, where he met and married Kathy Kief. On November 27, this beautiful couple would have celebrated 30 years of marriage. David and Kathy deeply loved each other and that love extended to each other’s children and grandchildren. In 2007, the couple made their home Minocqua, WI. 

David had plenty of hobbies throughout his lifetime. In his free time, when he wasn’t in his woodshop or reading, he loved to fish, camp and play cards. He also enjoyed curling and was quite good at it. Growing up, one of David’s favorite spots to be was at the family cabin on Rainy River in Baudette, MN, where he did a lot of fishing with his father. Always a heart for service, David was active with the Stephen Lion’s Club and was president of the Stephen Lutheran Church when he lived there. 

Anyone who knew David well, knew that he was a kind and generous man. He loved his family fiercely and made everyone he met feel welcome with his warm demeanor, handsome eyes and sweet smile. He was a patient and loving father, grandfather and husband. 

David was a gracious patient these past few years and accepted his disease with strength, character and dignity. He cherished the family visits, the delicious meals laden with his favorite foods provided by Brian and Brenda along with Tim and Ann, medical advice from Kathryn, and day-to-day assistance and rides to appointments from Beth, his “carpool buddy.” David left this earth knowing he was loved and his life well-lived. 

David is survived by Kathy, his wife of nearly 30 years; daughter Kathryn (Troy) Hoffman, Minnetonka, MN; son Brian (Brenda) Carlson, Barnesville, MN; stepchildren Patrice (Paul) Bryske, Baltimore, MD; Brian (Beth) Kief, Minocqua, WI; Tim (Ann) Kief, Park Falls, WI; grandchildren Breanna, Brittany, Alex, Adam, Jared, Anna, Logan, Gavin, Grayson, Grant, Frank; five great-grandchildren; siblings Bonnye (Ernie) Huland, Woodbury, MN; Carmen (Ray) Loida, Stillwater, MN; Susan Carlson, Brainerd, MN; sister-in-law JoAnne (Ron) Carlson, Brainerd, MN; first-wife and mother of Kathryn and Brian, Carolyn Ludwig, Deer River, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Bernice, brother Ron Carlson and brother-in-law Ernie Huland. 

Visitation will be Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. funeral mass at Holy Family Catholic Church Woodruff, WI. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial tributes may be made to the National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org) in remembrance of David C. Carlson.