Carl T "Wink" Lundell

Wink Lundell, 80, of Granite Falls, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the St. Cloud Hospital. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 1st at 2:00 pm at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm on Saturday at Granite Falls Lutheran Church and continue until the time of the service.

Carl Thomas Lundell was born September 24, 1945, the son of Dr. Carl & Doris (Hansen Schempf) Lundell in Granite Falls. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Given the nickname “Wink” as an infant by his older sister, the nickname stayed with him through life. Wink graduated from Granite Falls High School, a proud Kilowatt, with the Class of 1963. He continued his education at Gustavus Adolphus College, graduating in 1968. Wink spent summers working at resorts in Northern Minnesota during his high school years and at Glacier National Park during his college years as a bartender and hiking guide.

Wink was united in marriage with Joan Hedlund on April 8, 1972, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clarissa, Minnesota. They raised their family in Granite Falls. Wink was a born storyteller with the gift of connecting, and a joke always at the ready. Whether he was selling a product or reliving an event of the past, he had a way of making people feel like old friends. His warmth and wit drew people in, and over the years he built a wide circle of cherished friendships. Growing up in Granite Falls shaped him deeply—he carried a love for its small-town charm, its people, and its traditions wherever he went. Wink didn’t just make connections; he made memories, and he made sure they came with a good laugh. He was on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Corn Processors in Marshall. Wink and Joan, along with Wink’s parents and brother Rich, started a purebred Simmental herd in the late 1970s. Again, making connections across the state and US through the Simmental Association and attending the Simmental sales. After years in real estate, Wink took on the role of school bus driver and later the city bus until his official retirement.

Wink had a heart for service and a knack for showing up wherever help was needed—usually with a smile, a story, and a joke tucked in his back pocket. He was a proud member of the Granite Falls Kiwanis and found joy in lending a hand at the High School Rodeo and later the Western Fest Rodeo, where he was likely to be cracking jokes while selling admission ticket. He took special pride in caring for and driving the Granite Falls Royalty float, a role he took on for many years. Whether he was manning the beloved Granite Falls Popcorn Stand or pitching in for local causes, Wink gave his time freely and wholeheartedly. Of all the organizations he supported and served, the Living at Home Block Nurse Program held a special place in his heart—a perfect match for his belief that neighbors should always look out for one another.

He loved every opportunity he had to spend time with his fab 5 – his grandkids. Whether attending their events, taking them on lawn mower rides, getting into mischief or just being with them, this was his greatest joy. During the summer month, you would find Wink riding his mower on the farm, helping Joan with the garden, taking pictures of Joan’s flowers during the growing season and the new fallen snow in the winter. He gathered with his high school classmates every month for lunch and was always taking pictures with the group gathered. He would never miss an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Following Joan’s stroke in 2020, Wink became her primary care giver and stepped lovingly into  the challenge for his beloved Joanie. Moving off the farm in 2023, they found opportunities to connect with new neighbors around their townhouse and again at Granite Ridge Senior Living. They recently moved to Copperleaf Assisted Living in Willmar, MN to provide more daily help for both Wink and Joan and he had just started making new connections.

Wink is survived by his wife Joan, daughters: Katy (Mark) Lundell-Stuhr of Blomkest & Lisa (Robert) Carter of Granite Falls; grandchildren: Emma, Joelle & Aryn Carter, Grace & Ben Stuhr; siblings: Richard (Susan) Lundell, Mary (Phil) Kelly; brother-in-law Paul Benson and several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, sister Barbara Benson, and brother-in-law Dennis Hedlund.