Carol Carlson

Carol Ann Njus Carlson, 67, of Brainerd, MN died at Quiet Oaks Hospice in St. Cloud, MN on Sunday, April 2, 2017. Services for Carol will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter (6190 Fairview Rd. N) on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 11:00AM with visitation one hour prior to services. A Graveside Service will be held this summer at First Norway Lake Lutheran Church (6338 County Road 40 NW) in New London, MN.

Carol was born on November 17, 1949, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, to Joel and Irene Njus. Her father was a Lutheran minister and her childhood years were spent in Rembrandt, Inwood, and Buffalo Center, Iowa. A highlight of her younger years was spending a year in Asker, Norway, were her father was an exchange pastor.

She attended St. Olaf College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1972. She became the Crow Wing County Community Health Services Administrator. She settled in Brainerd, MN, and married Lyman Warren Carlson in 1972. Their son, Michael Alan Carlson, was born August 29, 1976.

Carol was a lifelong learner who loved adventure. She enjoyed the Frolics, traveling to Africa to see the gorillas, dancing Norwegian folk dances, singing in her church choir, ricing with her son on Mallard Lake, and knitting socks.

Her family was very important to her and she enjoyed attending family reunions every summer. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, her culinary skills, her kindness, and her competitiveness at Rook.

Carol was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2016. She fought this valiantly and maintained a positive spirit throughout this journey.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joel and Irene Njus, and her nephews, Bobby Bridgforth and Jeff (Ilona) Njus. She is survived by her son, Mike Carlson and wife Amy Skeate-Carlson; brothers, John (Helen) Njus and James (Margie) Njus; sister, Marlene (Robert) Bridgforth, as well as extended family and friends. Memorials may be made to the Music Ministry at Lord of Life Church or Memorial Gardens at First Norway Lake Lutheran Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.