Obituary for Carl L. Satrom, who passed on February 22nd 2021

After a life of faith, family, friends, fellowship and fun, Carl Satrom passed away peacefully Monday, February 22nd, 2021 in the companionship of Marie, his wife of 65 years and family he loved and prayed for daily.  

Carl Louis Satrom was born near Galesburg on July 14th, 1927the second of three children to Carl P. and Laura Satrom.    He was baptized at Elm River Lutheran Church in Galesburg on August 28th.  When Carl was 10, his family moved from near Galesburg to rural Page, North Dakota.  He was confirmed at our Savior Lutheran Church.  He attended Page High School, graduating in 1945 and went on to attend North Dakota State University and Moorhead State College.

Carl’s family attended church in Galesburg and that is where he met his wife to be, Marie Warner.  They were married on August 27th, 1955 and moved in to the upstairs at his parent’s house on the farm.  Five years later, Carl P. and Laura moved to a home in Page.  After his parents moved to Page, it was nice to have the whole house as the family had grown with the birth of three sons: Harlan, Merlin and Lauren.  In the fall of 1964, Carl and Marie ordered a Capp Home out of Minneapolis which was set up right next to the old farmhouse.  Carl and Marie spent that winter finishing it:  wiring, plumbing and flooring.  The family moved in on Good Friday and celebrated Easter Sunday 1965 in their new home.

Carl and Marie raised the three boys on the farm.  When Lauren was 7 in 1968, they adopted their daughter, Laurene Ann, named after Carl’s mom, Laura and Marie’s Mother, Regina Ann.  They eventually sold the farm and moved to Page.  In 1985, Carl and Marie bought a motor home and drove to Phoenix Arizona. They started as special volunteers in Christ’s service working at the Arizona Boys Ranch.  This was the first of 29 winters spent in Arizona.  While in Arizona, Carl started painting and hiking as hobbies to keep his mind and body active.  He was the hiking team leader at their retirement park for many years.  One of his accomplishments was to hike to the top of Superstition Mountain which he did many times.  This was a many hour endeavor and took a lot of effort.  The last time Carl did this at age 83 years old.  Carl even outpaced his sons when they were able hike with him.    

Carl loved travel and adventure, visiting 6 continents, all but Antarctica.   He and Marie made trips to the Holy Land in 1976 and 1978, visiting Rome and Switzerland.  In 1980, they were chosen to represent the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the ELCA as missionary observers to New Guinea.  Upon return, Carl and Marie shared this experience with nearly 100 churches in Eastern North Dakota raising money for the Mission Visitor Fund.  Carl also did volunteer work and traveled twice to Bogota, Columbia as well as India and Kenya.  He loved those trips as he was able to not only meet many people from other countries and work alongside them, but also to get away from the cold winters of North Dakota. 

Carl wanted to be a better communicator.  He joined Toastmaster’s and for 12 years worked on his writing and speaking skills, winning several awards.    He often practiceddiligently in his den at the podium Marie had built for him. He also served on the boards of Red Willow Bible Camp, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Page School, Page township, Elm River Credit Union and Bethany Homes in Fargo.  Carl always enjoyed meeting and interacting with people of all walks of life. 

Another love of Carl’s life was Gideon’s International which hejoined in 1976.  He spoke in dozens of churches raising funds to send thousands of bibles to churches in over 200 countries.  Carl and Marie personally placed Bibles in schools, hotels and prisons.

Life presents its challenges.  Carl at one time was diagnosed with diabetes, but through diet and exercise overcame that disease.  Carl also had melanoma and Parkinson’s disease for many years.  Given these challenges it was decided to move Carl and Marie from Arizona back to Minnesota to be closer to family year round.  They moved to Parkview Manor in St. Peter in 2014.  This was a wonderful place where Carl could paint and walk around the atrium to get exercise.  The Parkinson’s worsened.  Carl and Marie moved to Ecumen Sand Prairie Assisting Living in June 2020.  While Ecumen staff and Marie provided amazing care, the next step was to move Carl to a nursing home.  The progression of the Parkinson’s quickly took away Carl’s ability to eat and drink.  Had he moved to a nursing home, his family would not have been able to visit due to the Covid 19 pandemic.  In the weeks before his passing all of his children and many of his grandchildren were able to spend time with him and say good bye.  

Carl is preceded in death by his parents, Carl P. and Laura, his sister Inez.  

Carl’s faith was very strong and he prayed diligently for his family.  His older sister, Elaine Kaiser, turned 95 on February 20th.  His last prayer for her was continued good health!  Other family celebrating Carl’s life are his wife, Marie, sons Harlan (Sonja), Merlin (Barb), Lauren (Kellie), Laurie (Patrick Armon), grandchildren, Andrea, Mariah, Tavish, Rob, Mike, Trevor, Thea, Tatum, Austin and Cassidy.  Great grand children:  Gannon, Ryker, Rowyn, Avyn, Easton, Brecken, Kenley, Laken, Natalie, Hope, Peyton, Bennett, Aurelia, Sigrid,  and Torin.  

Due to Covid there will be no immediate service.  A celebration of life will be held in late May or early June.  

Memorials will be sent to the Gideon’s International. Direct donations can be made at:  https://gideons.org/donate

Correspondence can be sent to:

Marie Satrom

Ecumen Sand Prairie 

Apt 101

700 Knight Street

Saint Peter, MN 56082