Kenneth Carlson

Kenneth Earl Carlson was born on September 30, 1957, one of seven children to Kenneth and Mabel (Reed) Carlson of Alexandria, Minnesota. Ken graduated from Alexandria High School and started working at ITW Heartland in 1978. Ken worked for the company for thirty-five years, before having to retire due to health issues in 2013. It was in 1978 through mutual friends that Ken met his soul mate, Dawn Smith. In 1983 the two were married. Into this union he received two step-children Terry and Wendy, whom he loved and raised as his own.

Ken enjoyed hunting, camping, and fishing. He was always good for a road trip, and enjoying traveling. He loved all animals and always had a dog companion by his side. Ken could be found in the yard feeding deer or just sitting enjoying nature. He was a great Dad, the favorite uncle, someone that everybody loved and a soulmate to Dawn.

On Saturday, November 14, 2015, Ken died in his home surrounded by family at the age of fifty-eight. He is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Dawn; son, Terry; sisters, Rosalie ( George) Athey and Sharon ( Doug) Hausken; brothers, Aldon (judy) Carlson, Evald (Nancy) Carlson, and Carl (Janet) Carlson; sister-in-law, LouAnn Carlson, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Mabel Carlson; daughter, Wendy Trainor; and brother, Dale Carlson.