LeeAnn Emma Carlson

Service will be livestreamed on Zion United Methodist Church's Facebook page.

On March 5, 2025, LeeAnn Emma Craft Carlson peacefully completed her earthly journey, surrounded by the love and prayers of those who held her dear. She was born to Lee and Gladys (Erickson) Craft on February 20, 1958, and raised in the small town of Page, North Dakota. There, she shared a joyful childhood with her two younger sisters in a little green house just two blocks from her father’s laundry and dry-cleaning business.

LeeAnn’s deep faith in God was nurtured from a young age. She accepted Jesus Christ into her heart at the age of six, kneeling at the altar rail at the Methodist Church in Page. Church and Sunday school were always central to her life, and it was here that her mother taught her the gift of music, particularly the piano. At the age of 13, she began accompanying the Sunday school services—a role that marked the beginning of her lifelong commitment to church music. Over the years, LeeAnn served as a pianist, organist, and a beloved member of choirs and praise bands in every church she attended.

A proud graduate of Page High School in 1976, LeeAnn pursued an education in accounting and business. In 1979, fate brought her back together with Tim Carlson, a childhood friend from second grade. They were married on June 6, 1980, beginning a 44-year journey together, filled with love, laughter, and faith. LeeAnn found her greatest joy in being a devoted wife and mother. By 1985, she was blessed with two daughters and a son, and her dream of being a stay-at-home mother came to fruition.

While raising her family, LeeAnn continued her education, completing an associate’s degree in business in 1988. In 1993, she began working for Thrifty White Drug in Minot, where she remained until relocating to Grand Forks in 2007. In 2016, she briefly worked as the secretary at Zion United Methodist Church before her diagnosis of ovarian cancer led her to retire.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, LeeAnn was a woman of extraordinary talent and passion. She was an exceptional cook, a gifted homemaker, and an artist at heart who saw beauty in every corner of the world. Each spring, she and Tim created an oasis in their backyard garden, a place of peace and reflection, where they spent countless hours together, marveling at the wonders of nature.

LeeAnn’s life was marked by her compassion and humor. She had a gift for making others laugh, often with a sharp wit and keen observations that brought joy to those around her. She had a strong and unshakeable faith that served as the foundation of her life and encouraged all who knew her to experience the same peace and love she found in Him.

LeeAnn leaves behind her devoted husband, Tim Carlson; daughters Cassandra Carlson (John) Knudson of Champlin, MN, and Caitlin Carlson of St. Cloud, MN; son David Carlson of Grand Forks, ND; and two beloved sisters, Melanie (Ralph) Mewes of Colgate, ND, and Holly Craft of Page, ND. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Valorie (Mark) Christensen of Humboldt, IA; brother-in-law Todd Carlson of Fargo, ND; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and her cherished feline companions, Ollie and Dodger.

In her passing, LeeAnn’s light continues to shine through the lives she touched—her family, her friends, and all those who were blessed to know her. Her legacy of love, laughter, faith, and kindness will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2025 at Amundson Funeral Home with a time of sharing at 7:00 p.m. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Zion United Methodist Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota. In lieu for flowers, memorials may be made in LeeAnn's name to Altru Cancer Center, CaringBridge or Hospice of the Red River Valley.