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Carl Oscar Hasselquist, of the Chisago Lakes Area, died April 10, 2012 at the age of 94 after a short illness.


Carl was born November 28, 1917 in Center City, Minnesota to Oscar and Harriet Hasselquist. He attended School, a rural, one-room schoolhouse for eight years before beginning his lifelong occupation of farmer. As a youth, he worked for his father, initially for board and room and later for wages. Living through the Dust Bowl and Depression as a teenager had a significant impact on his approach to life. Because of his father’s poor health he received an occupational deferment during World War II.


Carl bought his first farm in the fall of 1942. Four years later he sold this farm and bought a farm on County Road 9, just south of Country Road 20, where he farmed for the rest of his working life. At his brother’s wedding Carl met Lorraine Erickson, whom he married on July 7, 1953. Carl and Lorraine celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family in 2003. Over the years, Carl served the community in several capacities. He served on the Center City–Lindstrom school board from 1959 to 1965. At Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, his first church home, he was chairman of the Luther League, Sunday School superintendent for 12 years, and a member of the Church Council. He later became a deacon of the Kost Free Church and deacon and elder of the Lakes Free Church, his church home for the last 27 years of his life. Carl served as a volunteer driver for Heartland Express for a number of years. He has been a Gideon, a leader of the Christian Men’s Breakfast, and a participant in “Dare to Care.” Carl was named Senior Citizen of the Year at the Chisago County Fair in 2000.


Carl was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Amy and Alma; brother Paul and his wife Lorraine. He is survived by his sister Mildred Tengbom; brother Earl; children Mary Beth (Peter Gammarano), Ann, Donald (Nancy), Dwight (Lori), Keith (Lori); 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.


Memorials may be directed to the Lakes Free Church building fund.

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