Christine Katherine (Stanger) Carlson, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026, at her home in Duluth, MN. 

Born on June 25, 1940, to Christian and Florence Stanger, Christine grew up in Duluth and graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1958. She met the love of her life, Ken, in 1960, and they married on June 2, 1961, in Duluth, enjoying 58 wonderful years together before Ken passed away in 2019.

Christine and Ken raised three children in Duluth, where Christine worked part-time at various businesses, including home daycare, First American National Bank, Manpower, Tom’s Travel Service, Edgell Communications, and North Shore Bank of Commerce. After retirement, they moved to Iron River, WI, before settling in Hermantown, MN, in 2010.

Christine had a love for lake life, fishing, camping with family and grandchildren, traveling, UMD Bulldog hockey games, and attending her grandchildren's music concerts and sporting events. She also enjoyed reading and needlework. A member of Salem Lutheran Church in Hermantown, Christine moved back to Duluth in 2021.

Christine was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, her parents, granddaughter Shannon Lynn Foster, and brothers-in-law Marvin Paarni and Edward Butchart. She is survived by her children Craig (Deb) Carlson, Lynn (Bob) Foster, and Amy (Scott Frankovich) Carlson; grandchildren Kirstine Foster (Robin), Boston Foster, Bishop (Alexis) Foster, Jessica (Lane) Lundstrom, and Kyle (Alyssa) Carlson; step-grandsons Bradley (Memo) Frankovich and Duncan (Malory) Frankovich; great-granddaughters Lakyn Lundstrom, Halle Lundstrom, and Meadow Carlson; sisters Helen (Dick) Stronach and Lois (Ron) McCullough; sisters-in-law Ardith Paarni and Darlene Butchart; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Mount Royal Pines III, St. Luke’s Hospital, Ecumen-The Fountains, and Ecumen Hospice for their care and support. Visitation will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, August 2nd, at Salem Lutheran Church, 4715 Hermantown Rd, with a Celebration of Life service following at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Salem Lutheran Church.