Skip to main content

Community mourns loss of LHS grad, focuses on mental health

Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

A Luverne High School grad will be honored Oct. 1 at the Verne Drive-In for the outdoor movie theater closing night of the season.
Carson Ehde, 21, assisted the Rozeboom family in operating the seasonal business.
“He was there for our first night opener under new ownership and never hesitated to come back and help … even if I was being a bit bossy,” wrote Gracie Rozeboom in a post to the business’s social media site.
Admission for the Saturday, Oct. 1, event is free.
Ehde died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday, Sept. 20. According to Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge, Ehde’s stepfather, Matt Sorenson, called the dispatch center at 3:48 p.m. about a possible suicide at the family’s rural Garretson home.
The Rock County coroner was dispatched and confirmed the cause of death.
His mother, Lori Sorenson, indicated that Ehde was concerned about his mental health and was taking steps to improve.
“He knew he was dearly loved, despite the final moment of darkness that overtook his light,” Sorenson shared in her son’s memorial.
Since his death, Ehde’s friends have been working on a public message to bring awareness to mental health and suicide. They are also raising money to donate to a local cause for suicide prevention. (See Page 4 for more on the response to Ehde’s death).
Also, the Luverne High School Class of 2020 established a Carson Ehde Memorial Scholarship that will be awarded annually through Luverne Dollars for Scholars.
“Carson had a bright personality that made everyone smile and positively impacted every life he touched,” Andrew Wagner wrote on the online donation platform.
The goal was to raise $10,000, and the goal was met in three days.
More than 1,000 people attended the Friday night visitation and Saturday funeral at Grace Lutheran Church.
See Page 7 for Ehde’s complete obituary.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.