Aage Carlsen, 1959

Spring 2022 (May 20, 2022)

Aage Carlsen, age 84, of Fosston, Minn., passed away on Feb. 26, 2022, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fosston. Funeral services were held March 4th, at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. John Ragan officiating. Interment was in Kingo Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston, in the spring.

Aage Sven Carlsen, age 84, died on Feb. 26, 2022, at Essentia Health, Fosston, Minn. Aage was born Nov. 6, 1937, at Ixonia, Wis., to parents Ejnar and Joan (Johanna Hansen) Carlsen. In June of 1942 the family settled on a farm near Capron, Ill., where he grew up.

In his formative years, Aage enjoyed helping with farm work, especially field work and the annual threshing. He loved being around the various animals on the farm, including but not limited to: many cats, a dog, cows, pigs, and occasionally chickens.

Aage attended LeRoy Center school for the first four grades. When LeRoy Center school closed, he attended Boone-LeRoy elementary school in Capron, graduating from 8th Grade in 1951. He then attended North Boone Consolidated High School in Capron, graduating in 1955. Following high school he attended at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, majoring in history. Discerning a call to ministry he entered Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. During this time he spent a year of internship in Broadus, Mont. He returned to Luther Seminary for his final year of study graduating and being ordained in 1963.

During his post-secondary studies, Aage met and married Eloise Kirkendall of Belmond, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Roxanne, Brian, and Kathleen. In Jan. of 1969 Eloise passed away suddenly and unexpectedly due to an undetected heart defect.

In May of 1970 Aage married Kay Eraker of Winger, Minn. To his union one child was born, Benjamin.

In his years of ministry Aage served congregations in Sebeka, Winger, Ashby, Climax, Parkers Prairie – all in Minnesota, and Galesburg, North Dakota. He retired in June of 2003, yet in retirement continued pastoral work, serving as an interim pastor, providing pulpit supply, as well as presiding for funerals and weddings.

He is survived by his wife Kay. His children Roxanne (David) Warren, Parkers Prairie, Minn.; Brian (KrisAnn) Carlsen, Miltona, Minn.; Kathy (Scott Blankenship) Stortroen, Decatur, Ill.; Ben (Pia) Carlsen, Bottineau, N.D. Grandchildren: Eloise, Michael, Jarrod, and Andrew Warren; Eric, Anna, Matthew Carlsen, Karina (Josh) Saucy; Leah (David) McVeigh, Josh (Ashely), Luke (Danielle), and MaryBeth Stortroen. Great-Grandchildren: Dominic, Parker, Bennet, and Brylie Stortroen.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ejnar and Joan and his first wife, Eloise.