Elizabeth La Panta

Elizabeth Ann La Panta, 61, of Fridley, MN passed away peacefully November 29, 2022, in the presence of her husband.

She was born July 14, 1961 in Duluth, MN to Bernard and Catherine La Panta.  She was a 1979 graduate of Duluth East High School.  She attended college at St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota, where she earned an associate degree.  She spent many years in Chicago, where she worked in fine dining with many top chefs and sommeliers.

Elizabeth loved to travel.  In 2005, Elizabeth met her husband-to-be David Carlson on a sailing trip to the Greek Islands, where they were assigned to the same sailboat.  They returned the following year for their wedding/honeymoon.  Elizabeth was a great planner and engineered trips to places including Greece, Hawaii, Florida, Jamaica, her hometown of Duluth, the Apostle Islands and the UP of Michigan.  She was also a life-long music buff and loved to attend concerts and plays.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, sister Karen (Rollie) Flaherty, brothers Greg, Stephen and Michael and mother-in-law Marjorie Carlson.  She is survived by her husband, sisters Kathleen Hartman and Kristin Casteel, father-in-law Neil Carlson, sisters-in-law Ann LaPanta, Judy LaPanta and Vicki (Bob) Struve, brother-in-law Neil Carlson, and 19 nieces and nephews.

Due to Elizabeth's lifetime love of animals and nature, the family requests that any contributions be made to the Wildlife Rehab Center in Roseville, MN or other charity focused on animals and/or nature in honor of Elizabeth and her childhood dog Freddie.

Interment at Calvary Cemetery (4820 Howard Gnesen Rd. Duluth) on Saturday, July 15 at 11:30am