ESTHERVILLE — Carroll Lee Monsen, 92, of Estherville, died Friday, September 4, 2026, at Ruthven Care Center.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel, 401 N. Seventh St., Estherville. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Carroll was born January 17, 1934, in Rake, the son of Martin and Pluma Larsen Monsen. He attended school in Rake before earning his GED and continuing his education through community college and technical-school programs.
Known as a man of many talents, Carroll worked for John Morrell for many years and attended farrier school in Kentucky. He later worked as a United States park ranger and practiced blacksmithing while living in West Branch. During retirement, he continued working outdoors through his lawn-service business.
Carroll served in the United States Army from 1953 through 1955 and was stationed in Korea and Japan. He remained proud of his military service and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Carroll had an appreciation for good food and became a certified barbecue judge. He enjoyed gardening and preserving the produce he raised. His creative talents included woodcarving, and he formerly belonged to the National Wood Carvers Association.
Much of Carroll’s happiness came from being outdoors. Hunting and fishing were among his favorite activities, and he also captured the beauty of nature through his paintings.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Karen and Jerry Phillips, Tammy and Mark Ebel, and Mary Jane and Marv Postma; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son Ronald; sisters Bonnie Hansen and Nadine Monsen; and brother Jessie Monsen.
Additional arrangements and obituary information are available through Henry-Olson Funeral Home and Crematory.
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