Carl Richard John

Hedquist

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Carl met Berniece Haux, beginning a love story rooted in faith, family, and a shared commitment to serving others.

Carl Richard John Hedquist, 91, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at his home at Good Samaritan Village – Bethany.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carl’s life on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. A gathering will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. Fellowship and sweet treats will follow the service. Interment will be private.

Carl was born on February 2, 1935, in Hines, Minnesota, the son of John and Jennie (Nelson) Hedquist. His family moved to Brainerd when he was young, and as fate would have it, that move would lead him to the love of his life. It was at First Lutheran Church that Carl met Berniece Haux, beginning a love story rooted in faith, family, and a shared commitment to serving others. The two were married on March 3, 1956, and together built a beautiful life, blessed with three children and countless cherished memories.

At the heart of Carl's life was his faith. But for Carl, faith was never simply something to believe in; it was something to live. He believed in putting his faith into action, and he did so with a generosity of spirit that touched more lives than he could have ever known. If someone needed a hand, Carl offered two. If a neighbor called, a friend reached out, or a need arose, his answer was almost always a simple, wholehearted "yes."

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Family was Carl's greatest treasure, and there was always room for one more at his table.

Carl's commitment to service extended throughout his community. He was involved with Christian Businessmen, Toastmasters, and Cursillo, a faith-based retreat experience. He served as an officer at Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union and was an active member of First Lutheran Church, where he participated in numerous Bible studies and held various leadership roles. He also supported Angel Food, a program that provided monthly food baskets to families in need. Yet perhaps his greatest acts of service were the quiet ones — the countless ways he showed up for others without ever expecting recognition or anything in return.

That same spirit of generosity was woven into the fabric of his family. Carl and Berniece passed along the importance of faith, compassion, and helping others, not simply through words, but through the example they set each day. Family was Carl's greatest treasure, and there was always room for one more at his table. In fact, he made sure of it by adding onto the family home so that holiday gatherings could accommodate everyone, with a place for each person to sit. To Carl, a house full of family was a house full of blessings.

He treasured time spent with those he loved, whether gathered around the table, sharing stories, or even sitting through a fishing trip — not necessarily for the love of fishing, but for the simple joy of being alongside his dad and children. It was never so much about what they were doing as it was about being together.

Carl was gentle, kind, and above all, genuine. His compassion came naturally, his empathy ran deep, and his willingness to see the good in others was a gift. He didn't need grand gestures to make a difference. He simply lived a life of love, service, and quiet faithfulness, leaving behind a legacy that will continue through the generations of family he cherished so dearly.

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Carl was gentle, kind, and above all, genuine.

Carl will be deeply missed by his daughter, Linda (Ben) Wicklund; son, Kevin (Terri) Hedquist; daughter-in-law, Cindy Hedquist; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and the many friends and neighbors whose lives were made better simply by knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Berniece; son, Vernon; brother, Willard; and parents, John and Jennie.

Carl's life was a beautiful reminder that faith is best expressed through love, and that a life spent helping others is a life exceptionally well lived.