of Plymouth, MN
November 8, 1932 – April 2, 2023
Visitation
Saturday, April 29, 2023
one hour prior to the service
Plymouth Covenant Church – Plymouth, MN
Memorial Service
Saturday, April 29, 2023
11:00 a.m.
Plymouth Covenant Church – Plymouth, MN
Kent Howard Carlson, of Plymouth, MN and Minong, WI, passed away on April 2, 2023 at the age of 90.
Kent was born in Minneapolis on November 8, 1932 – FDR’s election day – to proud parents Carl Olaf Emanual Carlson and Esther Ida Mathilda Carlson (his mother had already voted absentee!). He grew up in Minneapolis and walked to school uphill both ways in snow up to his neck, as legend has it. He graduated from Minnehaha Academy in 1950 where he played basketball and baseball and formed many lifelong friendships. At the University of Minnesota, he joined ROTC and served in the Army following graduation, attaining the rank of first lieutenant before his Honorable Discharge in 1956.
Kent was active in the Covenant Church from his youth. He was confirmed at Broadway Covenant where his father was a founding member. He continued as a lifelong member of the Covenant Church at Trinity Covenant, Community Covenant, Plymouth Covenant, and Libertyville Covenant. He dedicated himself on boards, committees, and a brief stint in the choir, but his favorite contribution was leading many youth group canoe trips to the boundary waters and other adventurous locations. His love of the church and the outdoors included numerous visits to Covenant Pines Bible Camp to attend camps, serve as counselor, organize work groups, or simply relax and rejuvenate his soul.
It was through the church and mutual friends that he met his first wife, Hazel (Rand), whom he married in 1967. They lived in Minneapolis and Hamel. Doug was born in 1968 and became a part of church life, canoe trips, and family activities with the Carlson and Rand clans. Following Hazel’s death in 1975, Kent stepped up as a steady and active super-father, somehow juggling work, fatherhood, and church activities with young Doug in tow. Fate, good friends, and God’s hand sent Kent to Covenant Pines where he met Jean (Fiedler-Youngren) and her two children. Kent and Jean were married on August 11, 1978. They, along with Doug, Michael, and Sarah, turned tragedies into a blessed family with many new and welcoming friends and relatives.
Kent worked as the Credit Manager for Munsingwear for 23 years before moving to various other companies and landing at Robert Half where his talents were greatly appreciated. He rose to regional credit manager of this rapidly-growing company, working there until his retirement at age 65.
His 25 years of retirement included many adventures with family and friends, winters in Colorado, and long summers at the beloved lake home on Upper Kimball Lake in Minong, WI. Always the welcoming hosts, Kent and Jean spent precious time with family and friends, enjoyed pontoon boat rides around the lake, and counted their blessings while rejoicing in the difficult but rewarding journey of life.
Kent is survived by his wife Jean, his son Doug (Cynthia), his son-in-law Chris Zueger (Kristen), and his grandchildren Kelsi, Adelaide, Avery, and Graham. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Hazel, and his beloved step-children Michael and Sarah.
A celebration of Kent’s life in Christ will be held Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at Plymouth Covenant Church in Plymouth, MN. Luncheon to follow the service at church.
Interment will be held on Saturday at the Swedish Mission Cemetery in Buffalo, MN.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a contribution to Covenant Pines Bible Camp in Kent’s name (covenantpines.org/donate) or a charity of your choice.