Carl H. Morken, Jr.

Carl H. Morken, Jr. passed away in Naples, Florida on November 29, 2020 at the age of 90. 

Carl was born January 9, 1930 to Carl and Anna (Tangen) Morken in Pekin, North Dakota.  The family moved to Grand Forks in 1936.  Carl graduated from Central High School in 1948. He received his Bachelor and Master of Education degrees from the University of North Dakota. Following ROTC completion, Carl served as a First Lieutenant  in the US Army during the Korean War.  In April, 1951 Carl married Sandra Page. They lived in Grand Forks and had four children- Mark, Dawnn, Carla and William (Bill).Carl was an educator in the Grand Forks Public School System for 37 years serving as a coach, teacher and elementary school principal. Carl retired from the GF Schools in 1988. He began a busy retirement engaged in farming, real estate, woodworking, world travel and the enjoyment of his grandchildren.

In 1983 Carl married Penny Ackerland.  Carl and Penny became Florida snowbirds in 1998 spending winters in Naples, Florida and summers in Grand Forks visiting family and friends. Carl was fortunate to have the opportunity to explore many parts of the world through travel but always loved to  return to the peace and beauty of the Red River and Sheyenne Valleys of North Dakota.  Carl was a long-time member of United Lutheran Church and a current member of Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND and Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran Church in Naples, Florida. 

Carl is survived by his wife, Penny Morken, former wife, Sandra Morken, children Dawnn (Dennis Kyle)Morken, Carla (Don) Kramer, William (Alice) Morken, brother David (Mary) Morken, grandchildren: Jamie (Eric) Macho, Sean Kyle, Kelly Kyle, Tyler Simmers, Tanner (Anna) Simmers, Toby Simmers, Tiahna (Alex)Edevold, Zakery Kramer, Keilani and Kiara Holweger, Trenor Morken and great grandchildren: Jackson, Solveig, Charlotte, Rowan, Simon, Veda, Selah, Alma, Aidan, Layla, Nellie and many nieces and nephews.  Godsons:  Roger Draper, Jim McEnroe and Brian Kennedy.  Carl was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Anna Morken, sister, Margaret (Nels) Ellertson, brothers Harding (Marian) Morken, Ralph Cameron Morken and infant son, Mark Page Morken. 

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Carl Morken, Jr., will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at the American Legion, 1009 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, Minnesota.