Earl Carlson

EARL CARLSON was born to Andrew and Lena (Gunwal) Carlson on December 26, 1919 on the family farm in Sweet Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota where he was raised and attended school in District #8. Upon completion of his education, he worked with his parents and brothers on the family farm. On December 31, 1948, he was united in marriage to Sophie Weets at the First Lutheran Church parsonage in Pipestone. This special day marked the beginning of their love story that lasted 62 years. Following their marriage, they lived for several months with Sophie’s parents in Pipestone. They then moved to a farm in Section 25W of Sweet Township where they lived and farmed until the fall of 2008 when they moved into Pipestone. On August 23, 2011, Sophie preceded him in death. Recently Earl became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where he died on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the age of 91 years, 11 months and four days.

Earl was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he worked on building the original church. Over the years, he also served as an usher and a deacon. While living on the farm, he was a member of the Farmers Union. He was a member of the board of directors for Midland Co-op. Over the years Earl and Sophie enjoyed going on many trips through this co-op. He was a member of the board for Sweet Township for over 30 years and served as treasurer for several of these years. Earl enjoyed woodworking as well as carpentry. For many years, he enjoyed playing softball with his brothers on the Carlson softball team.

He is lovingly remembered by his 23 nieces and nephews; and four sisters-in-law, Habe Suhr of Brookings, South Dakota, and Bernie Carlson, Dorothy Weets, and Verona Weets, all of Pipestone, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; ten brothers, Leonard, Reuben, Ed, Willie “Bill”, Gustav, Richard, Andy, Kenneth, Donald and Arthur; and two sisters, Gladys and Myrtle Carlson.