Donald Carlsen MD

Donald Arthur Carlsen M.D., age 82, died quietly at Essentia Hospital on September 24, 2014 with his wife at his side.

Don was born on August 14, 1932 in Bismarck, ND to Olga and Arthur Carlsen. He grew up in Goodrich and Bismarck, ND.

He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1950. He then attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a B.A. in 1954. He continued on at UND in the two year medical school graduating in 1955 with a B.S. He transferred to Temple University School of Medicine and graduated as an M.D. in 1957. Post graduate work included a general rotating Internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, OR. His education was interrupted by military service in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy in Okinawa and Japan, serving as a Lieutenant in the Medical Corps. Don then returned to his education by serving an Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA and graduating in 1964.

His medical practice included U.S. Marine Corps /Navy 1958 through 1961. In 1964 he moved to Mandan, ND and was in private family practice and OB/GYN until 1990 when he moved to Fargo. He served as Medical Director at BCBS of ND/Noridian Mutual Insurance Co. until his retirement in 2010.

His many commitments included being mayor of Mandan, ND 1972-1976, Mandan Community Center Board 1972-1976, Morton Co. Coroner for eight years, Mandan Jaycees “Boss of the year” 1984, Chief of Staff at Mandan Hospital; Rotary International – Mandan Rotary Club 1965-1990 and Fargo-Moorhead a.m. Rotary Club 1994-2014.

Don was a member of 1^st Presbyterian Church, Fargo and served as an elder, on the buildings and grounds committee, choir member and was in the Kenya group.

He loved his hobbies and interests which included model airplanes (radio control), woodworking, traveling with his wife and friends around the world, collecting Red Wing pottery, the Dallas Cowboys, caring for his roses, and loving his dog, Lady.

He is survived by his wife Janice, whom he married on August 22, 1975; his two daughters, Nicko Lynn (Kent) Kleppinger of Laramie, WY, Darcy Ann (Heath) Nash of Rochester, MN; and one son, Donald Arthur Carlsen, Jr. of Fargo. He appreciated all of his friends and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rotary International Foundation or 1^st Presbyterian Church of Fargo.