Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Gail Carlson
Dr. Gail Leslie (Landgren) Carlson, age 74, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 10, 2026 at her home in Devils Lake, ND.
Gail was born on October 7th, 1951 in Washburn, ND to Marvin and Gail (Bickert) Landgren. She showed her passion for horses from a young age, riding wild and free on her parent’s ranch near Washburn ND, and upon graduating Washburn Highschool in 1969, went on to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This first took her to NDSU, where in addition to her veterinary studies, she also found a passion for music. Taking part in the NDSU marching band.
After her time at NDSU, she went on to Iowa State University, where she got her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1976. Following vet school, she completed her internship at the Illinois Animal Hospital near Chicago. She later went on to attend UC Davis in CA and Kansas State University, where she received her PhD in 1989.
After completing her internship, she moved back to North Dakota, eventually winding up at a vet clinic in New Rockford. While working there, she met a local farmer, Sven Wilgoth Carlson. She married him on midsummer’s day June 24, 1983 on the farm near Sheyenne, ND. They went on to raise two boys, Sven and Jon, instilling in them their love for farming and ranching.
Gail was active in the Devils Lake community orchestra as well as the local homeschool group, making many close friends who meant a great deal to her. She had many diverse interests, including creation science, astronomy, geology, and biology. She also competed in cross country skiing and Biathlon. She completed the Worldloppet, a series of ski races across Europe and North America, winning first place in the Riviere Rouge race in Canada in 1981.
Gail accepted Jesus as her savior during her time in college. Anyone who knew her was certain that her faith in God was very important to her. She went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 10, 2026.
She is survived by her sons, Sven Carlson, Sheyenne, ND, Jon (Dorothy) Carlson, Spring Butte Township, ND; seven grandkids, including one unborn; her sister, Mary Alice Simonson, Houston, TX, and multiple nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Sven Wilgoth Carlson; a grandson Little Sven; her parents, Marvin and Gail (Bickert) Landgren, a brother, Robert Landgren.
Gail’s Visitation will be Friday, January 16, 2026 from 12:00PM – 1:00PM, followed by her Funeral Service at 1:00PM at Trinity Free Lutheran Church, Minnewaukan, ND.
Her Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Sheyenne, ND.
Posted Condolences:
17 Comments
Submit a Comment
Condolences are reviewed by staff.
I am so saddened by Gail’s passing. She was a dear friend through our homeschooling years and until now. I will truly miss her. She was always learning new things. She had a wealth of knowledge. And I know she will be so thrilled to see the face of Jesus. We are praying for all her family.
I will miss Gail so much! We met in 1984 at the hospital in Devils Lake where we both had baby sons the same week. Then again a few years later when we were both in Community Orchestra. She had so much knowledge and talent and I so much enjoyed our chats. Rest in Peace my friend.
I met Gail through our mutual love of the Hebrew language and in helping each other with a deeper understanding of our God. Her knowledge was awesome; discussions at my kitchen counter very interesting (but no debates, dear Gail!) and her friendship too brief. Gail, you are in the great cloud of witnesses surrounded by those you loved and went before you. You will be missed by your Mandan/Bismarck friends.
Sven and family, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mother and Grandmother. May God help you through this very sad time.
Gail’s classmates from our Iowa State University veterinary medical class of 1976 are saddened to hear of her sudden passing, just as we were planning our 50th anniversary celebration later this year. We have stayed in touch with each other every year since graduation. Rest in peace, Gail. We will miss you.
A truly kind human being !
Gail and I were classmates in vet school and sat next to each other alphabetically. Gail was a renaissance woman and athlete. She was the ND rodeo Queen in HS and gave my husband and I roping lessons at ISU. Later she changed my evolution belief as previous science teacher to Biblical creationism and introduced me to ICR and IBA. We attended many creation conferences together.
Gail had so many interests–playing the harp and baritone, studying the Hebrew language, astronomy, horse riding and ranching, veterinary equine dentistry and she was passionate about all of them.
My most memorable experience with her was a trip to Medora when she trailered her horses for us to ride together in the Teddy Roosevelt National Park. What an amazing experience riding in the badlands!
She had grit and compassion. She is now at the feet of her Savior! I hope Heaven can contain her!
Love to her family whom she adored and provided a legacy.
bible
Gail will be so missed by her family and friends. She was a truly amazing and inspiring lady. She had such a deep love for her family and they were always in her prayers. While reading her obituary I learned that Gail was accomplished in so many areas and activities in the past, which I had no idea about! She never bragged on herself or any of her accomplishments. So even in her death she continues to inspire. What I do know about Gail is that she had deep faith and she walked with our Lord Jesus daily. She even came to where I worked one day to pray with me through a hard time. Gail knew what she thought on many topics and she was not afraid to discuss what she thought with others, because she did her own research. I also thoroughly enjoyed sitting by Gail at the state veterinary conferences. I will miss her candor and her comments which were always insightful and thought provoking. She is with the Lord now. May the knowledge that we will be together again someday give us peace in her loss.
I did not know Gail well, but remember fondly the times we shared at ND Veterinary Medical Association meetings. Our last time together was at the outdoor dinner at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora last July. She was a delightful person, an accomplished veterinarian, and a child of God. We will miss her.
I’m so sorry for your loss Sven & Jon and all other family members! Still can’t believe she’s gone. Gail truly was an amazing friend – so many diverse interests and talents and such a love for our Lord and savior, Jesus! I will miss her! 💗
On behalf of the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association, we extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Gail’s family, friends, and colleagues. Dr. Gail was a respected member of the veterinary community whose professionalism, dedication, and kindness left a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of working alongside her. She will be remembered with gratitude and respect, and our thoughts are with all who are mourning her loss. Dr. Gail will be deeply missed.
I first met Gail in 1970 when we were both Pre-Vet students at NDSU. We were both fortunate enough to be accepted in 1972 into the Veterinary Medicine program at Iowa State University, where we both graduated in 1976. Upon my arrival back to North Dakota in 1980, our paths would meet at numerous ND Conferences over the years. Most recently, at the 2024 Conference, we had a great visit – reminiscing about our college days, our decades in practice, as well as life in general. I always admired her intelligence, her thirst for life long knowledge, and her skills as a dedicated member of our profession. She will be missed by many.
I am so very sorry for your loss! As so many have shared, Gail was an amazing woman who loved Jesus! She had a huge heart and cared deeply for her family. I will share one story that years has brought a smile to my family, my daughter found a large rock by the lake, well we knew Gail would be able to tell us more about it. Upon showing her and she responded “That makes my socks roll up & down!!” Gail will live on in the memories she imprinted on so many hearts!
We are not able to attend the funeral due to the weather and health issues. We have known Gail for many years and will dearly miss her. She was a part of our Home Bible Study Group and a good friend.
Gail was my friend for more than 20 years, and my fellow grandmother to our precious grandchildren. Prayers are being lifted up for Jon and Sven and their families as they adjust to the loss of their mother and grandmother.
My aunt Gail was an amazing person that did a lot of amazing things. She was very intelligent and creative in her vet practices. She was a competitive cross country skier and she taught me about horses and ranching. She was rodeo queen as well. She had strong beliefs and a strong sense of loyalty and faith. I admire her and hold her in my heart. Prayers and love for the whole family.
Ah I am saddened by her passing but pleased she is with Jesus. I was able to spend time with here at creation conferences and she always strengthened my faith and was amazing to talk to and converse with, I learned a lot from her, she even gave me a book. My condolences to her family.