Carl Salgren

Posted 5/22/02

Carl Albert Salgren, 60, a long-time Milaca area resident, died suddenly on Tuesday, May 14, 2002. He was pronounced dead at the Fairview Northland Regional Hospital in Princeton.

He was born on April 3, 1942 to Earl and Harriet (Kaspar) Salgren in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. As a small boy, he moved with his family to the Milaca area where they settled on a farm in Page Township. It was there that he attended the Tibbets Brook country school through the sixth grade. He went on to attend high school in Milaca and graduated with the class of 1960. Carl joined the U.S. Army in 1960 and served in Germany. During his tour of duty, he witnessed the building of the Berlin Wall. He was honorably discharged in November of 1963. As a young man, Carl ventured to South Dakota where he worked on several farms. Later, he gained employment with Baker Imports in Minneapolis and also drove milk truck. On April 24, 1970, Carl married Ruth Ann Pauline Lindquist, with the Rev. Harold Hansen officating in Milaca. The couple had five children: Shinell, Victor, Alex, Claus and April. In 1971, Carl began working as a heavy equipment mechanic for Bruggeman Construction in Milaca. On May 17, 1972, Carl began working as a machinist for Smith Systems Manufacturing of Princeton, starting a career that spanned for 30 years. Over the years, Carl also enjoyed farming the home farm where he raised beef cattle and hogs and the crops needed to feed his livestock. He loved the outdoors, especially when he could be out checking his cattle and fields with his four-wheeler or hunting or fishing. Carl always welcomed an opportunity to visit with his friends and neighbors over a cup of coffee. He had a strong faith in the Lord and had assisted in the ministry of the Tibbets Brook Sunday School for many years. He enjoyed reading and discussing the scriptures. He also enjoyed attending auctions and brought home many rediscovered treasures.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Milaca; two daughters Shinell (Ben) Linberger of Ogilvie and April (John) Herman of Ogilvie; three sons, Victor (Marie) Salgren of Foley, Alex (Sherryann) Salgren of Tacoma, Wash., and Claus (Donna) Salgren of Milaca; 10 grandchildren, Danielle Linberger, Ashley, Breanna and Zachery Salgren, Katelyn and Hannah Salgren, and Austin, Derek, Collin and Britney Herman; his mother, Harriet of Milaca; brother, Wayne (Audrey) Salgren of Lehigh, Iowa; sister-in-law, Helen Salgren of Milaca; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl in 1994; and his grandparents.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 18, at the Evangelical Free Church in Milaca with the Rev. Jay Beuoy and the Rev. Tom Sahlstrom officiating. The organist was Donna Pearson. The soloist was Diane Billmark. The active pallbearers were sons, Victor and Claus Salgren, son-in-law Ben Linberger, and friends Chuck Carlson, Jim Anderson, Donald Hunt, Joe Fetters and Bill Foos. The honorary pallbearers were his son Alex Salgren, son-in-law John Herman, Larry Salgren, Phil Eggen, and daughers-in-law Donna Salgren, Marie Salgren and Sherryann Salgren. Burial was in the Tibbets Brook Swedish Cemetery. Military honors were conducted by the Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post 178.

Arrangements were by the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home of Park Rapids, Minn.