Michael W. Carlson, son of Robert and Marian (Jacobsen) Carlson, was born November 28, 1964 at Lake Preston, South Dakota. He grew up and received his education in the Lake Norden area and graduated from Hamlin High School in 1983. Michael attended SDSU for two years and received an Associate of Arts Degree. He was united in marriage to Cheri Janssen in 1986 and they lived in Lake Preston where he drove milk truck for AMPI. In the spring of 1992 he moved to the family farm south of Lake Norden and continued to farm until the time of his death. Michael died on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha at the age of 47 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Norden and loved farming and his cattle. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Grateful for having shared his life are three daughters, Kayla Carlson of Omaha, NE, Kari Carlson of Lake Norden, Jessica Lowe and her husband Dan of Story City, IA; one grandson; his parents, Robert and Marian Carlson of Lake Norden; one brother Gary Carlson and his wife Sue of Brookings; four nieces and nephews, Brittney, Brayden, Braxton and Brennan; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. Michael's funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Norden. Visitation will be from 4PM to 7PM Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Norden.