Carlson, Samuel E. MD FACP "Be the captain of your own ship"! These are words of wisdom that Sam shared with his children and grandchildren. Sam was our captain as he fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Sam entered Heaven on Monday, March 12th at home, surrounded by his loving family. Sam was born on June 11, 1946 to Rev. Dr. Edgar and Ebba Carlson in St. Peter, MN. He was a proud graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College (where he met Barbara Zakariasen, the love of his life) and the U of MN Medical School, graduating in 1972. Following internship in Rhode Island, Sam completed his Internal Medicine Residency in MN. Sam is survived by Barbara, his devoted wife of 47 years; his four children: Angela (Matthew) LaJoy, Adam (Ava) Carlson, Laura (Jeff) Ross and Joshua (Renee Donahue) Carlson and nine grandchildren; brother, David (Karen) Carlson; sister, Joanna Swanson; nieces, nephews; the extended Carlson/Zakariasen Families and many friends. Sam felt honored to have three distinct careers. He believed it was the ultimate privilege to be a physician at Wayzata Internal Medicine for 27 years. He went on to be the Chief Medical Officer at Park Nicollet Health Services and culminated his career as a consultant in healthcare transformation with the Rona Consulting Group. He also served on the HCMC Board, chairing it for the past two years. People have called Sam: healer, leader, teacher, coach, role model, musician, true listener, wise, witty, nature lover and selfless. Always foremost in his life he was son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Sam will be greatly missed. Very special thanks to our oncologist, Dr. Mark Wilkowske and the Park Nicollet Hospice Team. Visitation will be Wednesday April 11 from 4-7 pm at the David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 East Wayzata Blvd in Wayzata, MN. A Service of Celebration will be at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6 in Plymouth on Thursday, April 12 at 11 am with visitation one hour prior. As one colleague said, "Sam made this world, indisputably, a better place." Memorials preferred to the Samuel and Barbara Carlson Family Charitable Fund P.O. Box 43 Loretto, MN 55357. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577 davidleefuneralhome.com