Mark Carlson

Mark was born in 1963 in Ishpeming, Michigan and spent an adventurous childhood outdoors hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and flying model airplanes. He was a champion swimmer in high school, holding many records, which led to a passion for scuba diving.

Braving the Keweenaw peninsula winters, he graduated from Michigan Tech with a computer degree and worked for UPPCO Power company until some friends enticed him away to work for an upstart medical software company in the twin cities. He spent the next 25 years coding software for medical imaging.

Mark was a devoted father and was deeply involved in his children’s lives. He was one of few fathers helping out at Haley’s swim team dinners, and was a boy scout leader for Nick’s troops. His two grandsons brought great joy and renewed his inner child – giving rise to model train rides and the chicken mask.

Mark was sometimes a bit unconventional, like bringing Darlene to see a corpse flower on their first date. He enjoyed saunas, deer hunting and Super Bowl Sundays in the UP. He loved to brew cider, pickle eggs, and make beef jerky – all things his wife dislikes. He was also famous for his cheese balls, which his wife liked very much.

Mark loved his Oak Hill church family and was ready to pitch in wherever he could. He also volunteered with refugee immigrants and low-income kids. Mark is deeply missed, but we’re comforted in knowing he is in the Lord’s hands.

Mark is survived by his wife, Darlene; children Haley (Patrick) Courteau & Nicholas; grandchildren Louis & Archer Courteau, parents John & Clara Carlson, siblings Elizabeth (Erick) Thompson, John (Joan) Carlson, and Rebecca (Charles) Gauker; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and two cats, Shyla and Boris.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 30th at the Oak Hill Campus of Woodbury Lutheran Church, 9050 60th St. N, Stillwater, MN 55082, with visitation at 1:00 pm, service at 2:00 pm, and early dinner to follow.

Memorials should be sent to Trinity First Lutheran School (https://trinityfirstschool.org). “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26