Carol Ann Carlson

Our “Grammie,” - Carol Ann Carlson - beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and fierce friend - passed away peacefully in the comfort of her Dresbach, Minnesota home on March 12, 2026, after a courageous journey following a diagnosis of lung cancer approximately 2.5 years prior. Despite learning of this troubling news, Grammie lived every day after with positivity, humility, and deep gratitude. She continued to love and inspire everyone around her.

Carol was born on August 8, 1949 to Donald & Delilah Whitman in Wausau, WI, and raised in Rothschild, WI. She graduated from D.C. Everest High School in Schofield, WI, in 1967, and continued her education at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute where she graduated with a degree in Dental Assisting in 1968. She worked as a Certified Dental Assistant for Dr. Dale Schultz in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she crossed paths with a patient who would eventually become her life partner, her “Bumpkins.”

On April 23, 1977, in La Crosse, WI, Carol married Gary D. Carlson of Superior, WI. They built a loving home in Dresbach, MN, where they raised twin boys between the Mississippi River and the train tracks. Grammie loved being a “mum,” and Brad and Brian were HER GUYS. She resigned as a dental assistant to raise her boys full time. Each day was filled with explorations, discoveries, messes, and adventures. Grammie would often reminisce and say, “My guys were so much fun!”

When her sons entered 6th grade, Carol started a new career at La Crescent Elementary School. She worked briefly as the cafeteria supervisor much to Brad and Brian’s embarrassment (who wants their mum spying on them at school?!!). She soon found her passion working with Title I programs to support students in reading and writing, where she served for over a decade.

Following Brad and Brian’s undergraduate college years, Carol and Gary moved to Oregon, where Gary served as Senior Vice President of Information Technologies for La Crosse Footwear/Danner until his retirement. Meanwhile, Carol, her mighty self, finished her working career as a security guard at Target. Carol and Gary enjoyed exploring the Pacific Northwest together, including the Haystacks at Cannon Beach, and delicious seafood entrees from the Fish Wife Restaurant.

Carol and Gary returned to their Dresbach home where they happily embraced their most cherished roles as “Grammie” and “Bumpa” for their granddaughters.

Carol appreciated having coffee and good conversations with her friends and family and laughing about life’s quirkiness and intricacies. She was an honorary member of Hufflepuff House and greatly enjoyed Harry Potter books and movies. She crafted treasures out of stained glass and turned ordinary rocks into precious art. Carol adored flowers, birds (especially chickadees, purple finches, hummingbirds and mergansers) and “yard critters.” She loved cats, and passed her fancy of felines to her sons. Although she was never much into sports, Carol was always the biggest fan at her boys’ sporting events. She also enjoyed cheering on the Packers with her family. Carol had a deep love for ballet and even used her school lunch money to pay for dance lessons. Although she never became a “professional” dancer, she would routinely dance and sing along with a great tune regardless of location or who was watching. Whenever their song, “Brandy” by Looking Glass, would play, Carol and Gary would sing and groove together.

Possibly Carol’s biggest claim to fame was the way she could capture a sunrise, especially from her back deck overlooking the Mississippi River. Every morning, she awoke early and was ready to gather whatever beauty nature was willing to share for that day. “Each one is so different, and I love every one of them equally,” she would frequently say. Carol only ever used the camera on her cellphone, but that was all she needed. Her sunrise photos were consistently stunning, beautiful and distinct. Every. Time. She often shared her masterpieces with friends and family, along with an affirmation to accompany them.

Grammie coined many memorable phrases, several of which will live on in infamy:

• Don’t Fret!
• You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit
• I thought to myself… self…
• And that’s all I’ve got to say about that
• Don’t ever forget… how much I love you!

Carol - aka, Grammie - wished to leave final sentiments to those who meant the most to her:

To my Friends - I’ve never felt alone with you in my life. You’ve made me happy and feel valued.

To my Family (Relatives) - I love each of you for whom you are. Family is important to me - together or apart, you are my family forever and you will always have my love.

To my Husband and Sons - My life with you as a wife and mother - especially of twins - has been wonderful. The three of you have constantly made me very proud. I have been blessed - Don’t forget how much I Love You. I hope you always felt loved.

Kari, Kennedy, Sophie, Avery Lu, and Maizie - Always remember that you filled my heart with pride and joy. If I had been allowed to choose a daughter-in-law and four granddaughters - surely, they would have been you.

Carol’s surviving family includes her husband Gary; son Bradley (Kari) and granddaughter Maizie of Shoreview, MN; and son Brian and granddaughters Kennedy, Sophie, and Avery of Red Wing, MN.

She is also survived by her brothers Michael (Paula) Whitman of Kronenwetter, WI; Kent Whitman of Lake Tomahawk, WI; sister Sarah (Shawn) Anthony of Masury, OH; stepsister Denise (Rob) Lorenz of La Crescent, MN; stepbrother Matthew (Diane) Diestler of Weston, WI; and sister-in-law Sonya Whitman of Kronenwetter, WI, as well as her cherished nieces, nephews, and dearest friends.

Carol was predeceased by her father Don Whitman, mother Delilah (Moss) Whitman, sister Linda (Whitman) Dorshak, stepmother Eileen (Steinke) Whitman, brother Phillip Whitman, and stepsister Angela (Diestler) Vaughn. Also welcoming her with warm paws and wagging tails are the beloved family pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge: kitties Vinnie, Sherlock, Herbie, and Dusty; and golden retrievers Cinderella, Gus, Daisy, and Brandy.

Carol requested there not be a funeral service upon her passing; she instead preferred there be a simple celebration of life. “Perhaps a toast shared with those I love…a laugh or two…and a good 70’s song to make you want to sing or dance.”

A Celebration of Life for Carol will be announced at a later date.

The Carlson family would like to give special thanks to her neighbors and close friends for their assistance with meals, laundry, and household necessities, and to the Oncology Team at Gundersen and to Emplify Health by Gundersen Hospice for their care and compassion treating our Grammie.