Betsy Carlson

Betsy Carlson, 50, of Chicago, IL died on October 25, 2025 at Mayo Clinic in the ICU after two sudden and massive, hemorrhagic strokes that occurred three days apart. During her six days in the hospital, she was surrounded in person and in spirit by loving and grieving family and friends who were not prepared to lose her light, her beautiful smile, and her compassionate servant heart that she so generously shared.

Betsy was born July 19,1975 in Minneapolis, MN to Pam and Wayne, joining big sister Lisa. Betsy was baptized as an infant and later confirmed at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton. The family of four moved to Hawaii when Betsy was one. She learned to walk there, showing no fear of pool edges or ocean surf. Less than a year later the Carlsons returned to Minnesota, this time to Stillwater where they set down roots.

Betsy attended Stonebridge Elementary where she established a few of the long term friendships that she was so good at nurturing and tending throughout her life. She became close with cousins and second cousins as well even though they all lived 30+ minutes away. Imaginary "stretchy glue" was activated regularly with some to keep relationships tight.

Britt joined the family when Betsy was seven and Erik when she was nine, giving Betsy ample opportunities to develop as a caretaker. They were just about the size of Cabbage Patch Kids for a while and so much cuter. Betsy embraced her big sister role.

At Stillwater Junior High and High School Betsy participated in a variety of activities including band, orchestra, swimming, tennis, cross-country skiing, and golf. While her mild cerebral palsy impacted her athletic abilities, she was always valued as a teammate, cheerleader, hard worker, smart cookie, leader, and friend.

At Augsburg College Betsy demonstrated her keen ability to use both sides of her brain, majoring in English and Math and leading the Community Service Club and Writing Lab.

After graduating from Augsburg in 1997 she moved to Washington DC where she was part of Lutheran Volunteer Corp running a youth tutoring program for a year. Then she worked for Reading is Fundamental until 2004. So far from home she continued building deep and lasting friendships.

Betsy moved next to Chicago where she earned a Masters in Social Service Administration in 2006 from the University of Chicago. For nearly twenty years she worked for at-risk youth and those experiencing homelessness through leadership positions at Lincoln Park Community Shelter, Duke of Edinburgh's International Award USA, The Night Ministry, and Covenant House. She served as a long term volunteer for ONE Northside advocating for equitable housing and social policy and as a consultant for the University of Chicago advising and supporting graduate students in field placements. Betsy cared deeply about and was committed to social justice work.

Outside of work Betsy loved connecting with family and friends near and far; spending time with her partner of eight years Vaughn; walking her beloved dog Irie; planning (with great detail) travel, adventures and outings; being a super auntie to nephews, niece, and friends' kids alike; baking and cooking for and with other people (one of her love languages); biking (often to the Chicago Botanical Garden); and going to the family cabin in Wisconsin. Betsy was quick to laugh (and cry) and demonstrated remarkable grit throughout her life.

Betsy is preceded in death by her grandparents Donald and Mildred Carlson and Orv and Alpha Bjorklund.

She is survived by her partner Vaughn Beckford; parents Pam and Wayne Carlson; sister Lisa Sackreiter (Andy); sister Britt Gangeness (Bjorn); brother Erik Carlson (Katie); nephews Soren, Kai, Henrik, Karl, and Emmet; niece Maeve; dog Irie and cat Oscar.

Service of Remembrance
November 22, 2025
12:00-1:00 visitation; 1:00 service; reception to follow
Living Waters Lutheran Church (where Betsy's dear friend Ivy Borgstrom Huston is pastor) 865 Birch St, Lino Lakes, MN 55014

Because we all have our own experiences, memories, and appreciations of Betsy, please bring to the service or digitally deliver to this Google folder a written message about Betsy that the family will post at the service and later compile into a book of remembrance. Those who are interested can also read their message during an open sharing time at the service. Consider making it a message of gratitude to Betsy: Dear Betsy, I'm grateful to you for...

We also invite you to bring or digitally deliver to this Google folder a favorite photo or photos of you with Betsy. Please include your name (and others in the photo) and the year as the title or name of the photo. We'll post these on magnetic boards at the service and include them later in a book of remembrance.

Memorials can be directed to the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness. The organization does policy and advocacy work as well as manage a mutual aid fund that directly helps people experiencing homelessness. Another memorial option is the Chicago Botanic Garden, one of her favorite places and where she would often bring out-of-towners when they came to visit.