Margaret "Micki" Cecile Kastel Carlson (Lint)

Margaret “Micki” Cecile Kastel Carlson (Lint), age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her four children and family in La Crescent, MN on June 27, 2023, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.

A private burial will be in the Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Cemetery in Spicer. A celebration of Micki's life will be from 11 AM to 1 PM on Monday, July 3, at the residence of Mike and Kimberly Lint, 584 4th Ave SW, New London, MN  56273.  If you wish to honor Micki’s life, please consider a donation to a local arts community organization in her name.  Arrangements entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Green Lake Funeral Home in Spicer.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Micki was born on August 17, 1937, in Willmar, MN and was raised on Green Lake where her family owned and operated the Ye Olde Mill Inn. She attended elementary school in Spicer and graduated from New London-Spicer High School in 1955. Micki was a life-long learner. She attended St. Cloud State University, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. She then went on to earn a Master of Science in Education in 1970 from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Years later, she graduated with an Education degree from Metropolitan State University in 1983 and with a Master of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College in 1984. She obtained a Master of Teaching degree from Moorhead State University in 1986. 

Micki’s professional career started as a Cytotechnologist working at labs in Eau Claire, WI and Willmar, MN. Later, she worked at Woodland Centers providing mental health services, and as a Licensed Social Worker in several Minnesota School Districts and coordinated and led Marriage Retreats.

Micki was married to Ron Lint and to this union four children were born. Micki is survived by her son Chris “Joe” Lint (Ruth) of Playa Brasilito, Costa Rica; daughter Tami Sorenson (Jim) of Big Horn, WY; son Mike Lint (Kimberly) of New London, MN, and daughter Suzi Howe (Jamey Kloss) of La Crescent, MN; and her grandchildren Cynthia Irish, Carina Irish, Matthew Irish, and Joseph Irish; Ryan Sorenson and Danilee Sorenson; Tylar Lint; Shane Howe, Jaden Howe, Anna Kloss and Nina Kloss; and great-granddaughters, Oakley and Caylee Bevan. Micki is survived by her sister, Sandy Saulsbury, by her nieces T.C., Debbie, Julie, and Maria; many dear friends and her most beloved dog, Lucy.

Micki was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Loretta Carlson; her grandson Travis Lint, her brother-in-law Jim Saulsbury and great-nephew Nathan Elkjer.

Micki was truly an artist. She loved painting, reading, cooking, knitting, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She could be found laughing in coffee shops, paddling her kayak, watching the waves in Costa Rica, and even out backpacking at 84 years of age. She especially enjoyed traveling to spend time with her family and loved sharing fond memories of her adventures growing up on Green Lake. She lovingly shared her talents by gifting her paintings and knitted blankets, scarves, and hats to friends and family.

Words used by Micki’s family to describe her are brave, resilient, smart, survivor, lover of family, giving, strong, artistic.

Additionally, her dedication to her community shown throughout her life from helping establish the Wilmar Area Food Shelf as the Vice President to serving as a board member for organizations including the West Central Community Services in Willmar, Peace Lutheran Church in New London, Habitat for Humanity, served on the MN Council of Churches Committee for Battered Women and Sexual Abuse, and the Sexual Attitude Readjustment program at the University of MN. She helped develop a rural program that rescued battered women, welcoming them and their children into her home and was a national speaker presenting to those establishing similar programs. She was truly a woman ahead of her time: a powerful and loving single-mother advocating for those who needed it most.