Carl Volgren was born on Dec. 20, 1913 in Balsam Lake Township to Nels Sr. & Maria Volgren.
He attended Goose Lake School starting at the age of 7. He did not have much interest in a formal education, but he learned how to read and write and was good in arithmetic. He quit school when he was 14, but demonstrated time and again that he was wise beyond a formal education. He worked at home cutting wood and ice and worked for area farmers as well He started a long tradition of trapping, hunting and fishing. He spent several summers working in Montana during the depression. When World War II broke out he volunteered to serve his country. He enlisted and served 4 years in the Army-Air Force first in Washington State and then in England.
After the war, he returned home and and farmed for a period of time before purchasing his own farm on East Goose Lake in Apple River Township in rural Balsam Lake. On Dec. 20, 1952 he married Kathryn Cline Erickson who was widowed with four children. They built a house on Carl's farm. To this union 4 children were born. He was a successful farmer but was better known for his generosity as he was always willing to help a neighbor often at the expense of his own farm work.
Kathryn died in 1982. Carl continued to live in their home where the coffee pot was always ready, banana bread made for company and cookies made for when the great grandkids would stop in. He loved working in his garden, going fishing and hunting and his dogs.
Carl is survived by his children, Steven ( Cheryl) Volgren of Balsam Lake, WI, Merry (Pat) Cahill of Amery, WI, Michael (Michell) Volgren, of Cottage Grove, MN, Karen (Andy) Rohrbach of Apple Valley, MN, Edward (Sue) Erickson of North Saint Paul, MN, Susan (Dareld) Lundgren of Amery, WI, Donald (Nancy) Erickson of Oakdale, MN, Marge (David) Steingraber of Oregon, WI.; 25 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. Carl is preceded in death by his wife Kathryn, parents, Nels Sr. & Maria Volgren, brothers: Robert Walgren, Harold (Doc) Volgren, Nels Volgren Jr., Johannes Nillson,(Sweden) Sisters: Juliet Peterson, Betty Lundmark, Karin Anderson, Anna Fasteson (Sweden), and Grandson, Parrish.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday November 17, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at East Balsam Baptist Church in rural Balsam Lake with Pastor David Sollitt and Wayne Johnson officiating. Soloist was Arlen Peterson. Organist was Sue Lundgren. Military honors were provided by the Balsam Lake VFW. Interment of cremains was at the Balsam Lake Cemetery. The Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Service assisted the family with arrangements.