Douglas K. Carlson

Douglas Keith Carlson, age 65, passed away peacefully on January 16th, 2021 at Sanford Health Center in Fargo, ND with family by his side.
Doug was born on December 29th, 1955 to Reuben and Shirley (Moe) Carlson in Grafton, ND.  He was raised in rural Lankin, ND with his five brothers and sisters.  After graduating from Lankin High School in 1974, he attended LRTC in Devils Lake, ND where his carpentry skills were established.  He was united in marriage to Susan Madson on September 21st, 1979 at Elk Valley Lutheran Church.  
Doug was a carpenter by trade and worked for Robertson Lumber and Adamson Construction in Grafton, ND in the late '70s.  From 1980-1984, he worked on the oil rigs for True Drilling which took Doug and his family to western ND and Colorado.  In 1984, Doug and Sue returned to Lankin, ND to raise their three children.  Doug worked for Farmers Union Oil/Cenex of Adams, ND for 25 years where he spent many hours bouncing around the fields in the TerraGator.  Doug and Susan decided to move from their Lankin farm in 2013 and make their home in Grafton, ND where Doug currently worked for Marvin Windows and Doors.  Throughout Doug's working life, he also used his carpentry skills to take on small side-jobs, remodel both of his homes, and help out family with projects over the years. 
Doug loved hunting, fishing, and spending his spare time back at the family farm working in his large garden or tending to his chickens.  He also loved a good round at the poker table, even winning a time or two.  On summer nights, Doug could often be found with Sue at their camper by Stump Lake.  Most important to Doug was his family.  He always enjoyed spending time with all of his children and grandchildren.  He would often tell stories of days gone by, which usually included a funny scenario and a little teasing.  Doug loved to make people laugh and used his wit on a daily basis to get in a good old-fashioned joke and provoke the well-known "DOUGLAS!!" from his loving wife and snickers from the kids.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife: Susan of Grafton, ND; children: Kimberly (Ryan Johnston) Rost, Grafton, ND; Daniel (Stephanie) Carlson, Park River, ND; Amie (Jim) Vasichek, Lakota, ND; grandchildren: Bevan, Chloe, and Aidan Rost; Hunter, SiddaLee, Amaryllis, and Raelynn Carlson; Lauren, James, and Claire Vasichek; mother, Shirley Carlson, Park River, ND; siblings: Darrell (Sherry) Carlson; Elaine (Brad) Dahl; Mark Carlson; and Mitch (Paulette) Carlson; mother-in-law: Avis Madson; Several nieces and nephews also survive.  
He was preceded in death by his father Reuben Carlson; sister Rebecca Carlson; grandparents: Emil & Selma Moe and Chris & Bessie Carlson; father-in-law, Ronald Madson; cousin and friend, Glenn "Shorty" Johnson.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at First Care Health Center, Sanford Health Center, and The Cancer Center of ND who have provided wonderful care to Doug over the past five years. 
A walk-through visitation will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Adams Mountain Lutheran Church. A private family funeral will be held following the visitation. The funeral service will be live streamed at 2:00 PM on the Tollefson Funeral Home Inc. facebook page. A video of the funeral service will be posted to Douglas’s obituary on the website.  Inurnment will be at Hoff Lutheran Cemetery, rural Adams.

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