Rev. Dr. Andrew E. Carlsson

The Rev. Dr. Andrew E. Carlsson, of the St. John’s Campus, Overbrook Pointe, Mars, PA, died on March 25, 2025.  He was born April 14, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Nils and Helen Carlsson. He is survived by Marilou Nicklas, companion and caregiver later in his life, and five children: Mark (Marcie) Carlsson of Butler, PA; Peter Carlsson of Butler, PA; Jennifer (Richard) Bartek, of Cranberry Township, PA; Linda (Gary) Bryce, of South Park, PA; and Kristin (Greg) Hassler, of Quakertown, PA.  Also surviving are eighteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Donna L. Carlsson of 57 years, and brothers, Lloyd Carlsson and Ron Carlsson.

Andrew graduated from Carthage College, Carthage, Illinois, in 1957, and from Chicago Lutheran Seminary (now LSTC) in 1960.  He completed a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2009 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (LTSP). Pastor Carlsson served ELCA congregations in Texas and western Pennsylvania over a span of 28 years, including the congregations of Trinity Lutheran church in McKean, St Peter’s Lutheran church in Evans City, and lastly, Tabor Evangelical Lutheran church in Kane, Pennsylvania from 1973 until 1988.  He was also the Residential Director of the Bethesda Children’s Home in Meadville, Pennsylvania from 1969 to 1973.

Andrew Carlsson was called to intentional interim ministry, in 1988, by the Northwestern PA Synod of the ELCA.  In 1990 he founded Seed Sower Ministries and developed lay leadership training workshops as well as becoming a leader of the Interim Ministry Network (IMN) in Baltimore, serving as a faculty member from 1991 – 2004 and a primary developer and writer for the IMN’s participant’s workbook and faculty manual.

In 1994, he was co-founder of the National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP) and became one of its faculty members, and writer of its manuals and workbooks.  He has served over two dozen congregations as an intentional interim pastor and interim consultant as well as consultant to several denominational judicatories for interim ministry throughout the United States. Pastor Carlsson served on numerous boards and commissions throughout his ministry work and received service awards through the Interim Ministry Network, the Northwest PA Synod, and the National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors.

He retired from active ministry in 2014, and moved to the St. John Community campus, Overbrook Pointe, in Mars, PA.

Andrew had a number of hobbies and outside interests including not only his family, but also woodworking and traveling, and proudly being an avid Boston Red Sox fan. He and his family spent many summers boating on the Allegheny River and hiking in the National Forest.

On Friday, May 2, 2025, a visitation beginning at 9:30 am, with the funeral service at 11:00 am, followed by a private luncheon, will be held at Perry Highway Lutheran Church (11403 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090). 

Memorials can be made to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod (ELCA).

Arrangements are under the direction of the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc, 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com