Sara Anne Carlson

Sara Carlson passed away on May 8, 2025 at the age of 49, surrounded by love. Her absence is deeply felt, but so is the lasting impact of her presence-her warmth, her humor, and the way she made life feel more vivid for everyone around her.

Sara was born on February 28, 1976, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From the start, she was a force-fast, fierce, and funny. She never missed a day of school. She was magnetic at neighborhood dance parties and often beat the boys at sports.

Sara was the director, the choreographer, the costume designer, and the star of family fun. She created skits with her little sister Missy, complete with Cabbage Patch Kid soundtracks and daring mine rescues. She invented characters, voices, and entire worlds. Somehow, that never stopped. Even as an adult, she remained the champion of childhood-encouraging every kid, remembering what it felt like to be small, and making sure no one ever felt left out.

She had a radar for pain. She could sense it in a room, in a glance, in a silence. And she went to it-not to fix it, but to sit beside it. To say, "I see you." It led her to her Bachelor's degree in Family Social Services from the University of Minnesota. Even during her own ten-year battle with ovarian cancer, she rarely spoke of the pain. But we knew. We saw it in the way she moved a little slower, rested a little longer. And still, she laughed. She insisted on her fun.

She loved Prince, the Real Housewives, and the absurdities of everyday life. She could mimic anyone, but never mocked. She noticed people-their quirks, their hurts, their hopes-and she loved them.

Sara was a daughter who helped her father through his own cancer journey, guiding him with the same grace she used to guide herself. She was her mother's helper, her siblings' trusted friend, her nephews' favorite surprise visitor. She was Jeff's (aka Tiger Cub) partner for 25 years-they kept each other laughing. Together, they hung a piece of art on their wall that read, "Together, you and I." That was Sara: togetherness, always.

She felt honored to be the bonus mom of Jeff's son, Isaiah (aka Turk), and loved him fiercely. She traveled to Las Vegas, fell in love with the colors of Mexico, and never stopped texting her best friends-even when her body was tired. She blazed a trail of fun with them-planning adventures, sharing secrets, and laughing until it hurt. Even in her hardest moments, she loved them fiercely and fully, holding them close with the same warmth and loyalty she gave to everything she did.

Sara is survived by her life-partner Jeff Witz; his son Isaiah Witz; her mother Patricia Carlson; sister Missy Sovde (Chris Sovde); brother Chris Carlson (Betsy Taylor); her beloved niece Emma; and her five beloved nephews, Charlie, Henry, Trent, Liam, and Lincoln; as well as many cousins, aunts, and uncles she adored. She was preceded in death by her father Gary Carlson; paternal grandparents Richard and Alice Carlson; and maternal grandparents Thomas and Catherine Kelly. Her beloved dog, Buddy (aka old man river), joined her in heaven within a day of her passing.

A Funeral Service will be held on June 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Community - Parish Center, 8701 36th Ave N. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM. Funeral Service begins at 11:00 AM. Lunch reception to follow.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the extraordinary caregivers at the Frauenshuh Cancer Center, whose compassion and dedication brought comfort and dignity to Sara throughout her treatment. In honor of Sara's life and spirit, donations may be made to the HealthPartners Frauenshuh Cancer Center through the Park Nicollet Foundation at healthpartners.com/frauenshuh/donate-form.

She was, as her mother said, "larger than the ocean and brighter than the sun." And now, she is everywhere.