Craig Eugene Carlson

Craig Eugene Carlson, age 81, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026. He was born on July 11, 1945, to George Carlson and Clara DeToy.

Craig graduated from Pipestone High School in 1963. In 1965, he met the love of his life, Nancy, and the two were married in February 1966. They shared 60 years of marriage, building a life together filled with love, companionship, and countless memories.

Craig began his career with Honeywell, where he worked repairing copiers. He eventually moved into the office machine business as a technician and continued to grow in his career. He ultimately became a part-owner and sales manager overseeing multiple locations. He took great pride in his work and was always eager to learn something new.

Curiosity was one of the defining qualities of Craig’s life. He was a lifelong learner with an interest in a wide range of subjects, including politics, psychiatry, quantum physics, and much more. He enjoyed exploring new ideas and was never afraid to ask questions or dive deeper into a topic that caught his attention.

Craig was also deeply involved in his community. He participated in the Jaycees and the Boys Club of America in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and was a proud member of the National Organization for Women (NOW).

Music was another great passion in Craig’s life. He loved music of all kinds and considered himself an audiophile, taking great interest in sound and audio equipment. He also loved gadgets and technology and was often excited to have the newest technology available. In his free time, Craig enjoyed playing pool, golfing, and reading.

Craig is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; son, Joel (Lori) Carlson; daughter, Jean Carlson; sisters, Janet Stark, Cindy Reese, Fran Matthies, and Chris Galbranson; step-brother, Dale Helmke; step-sisters, Annette Bernier and Shanda Larson; granddaughter, Taylor (Riley) Etienne; and his dog, Ziggy.

Craig is preceded in death by his parents, George and Clara Carlson; step-mother, Olena Carlson; sister, Lisa Freitag, and step-brother, Mark Helmke.

A memorial service will be held at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 11am with visitation beginning at 10am. A lunch will be served immediately following the service.

Craig will be remembered for his intelligence, curiosity, generosity, love of learning, and enthusiasm for the many things that interested him.