Roger Carlson

Roger C. Carlson, 86, of Ashby died on Friday at the ELEAH Medical Center in Elbow Lake.

He was born November 9, 1923 in Fergus Falls to Carl and Gena (Knutson) Carlson. He was baptized by Rev. O.A. Norman and confirmed by Rev. Walter Olson at Pelican Lake Lutheran Church. He grew up in Ashby and graduated from Ashby High School.

The night of his graduation, Roger boarded a train bound for Portland, OR where he attended Pacific University and was employed at Willamette Iron and Shipyard working the swing shift as a certified welder. The draft board requested Roger’s service and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific as a motor machinist mate on Destroyer Escorts, LST’s and for 25 months on a sub chaser.

After the war, Roger returned home to Ashby, met and married Elna Hanson from Holmes City on May 14, 1947. They were married for over 50 years. Roger and Elna moved to Minneapolis where Roger was employed for over 30 years at Marsh and McLennen, World Wide Insurance Brokers, as a casualty consultant. Upon retirement, Roger was offered a position as Vice-President in charge of risk management with Rollins, Burdeck & Hunt, Insurance Brokers, in Alaska. Roger and Elna packed up and headed north to Alaska. Roger enjoyed life there, his work, fishing, hunting and simply being in the greatest of outdoors. In 1987, Roger retired once again and he and Elna moved back to Ashby where Roger spent his time hunting, fishing and golfing. He was a member of the Peterson-Tripp American Legion Post 357 for over 65 years. Roger was a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran Church (Pelican Lake) and a lifetime member of Grand Chapter of Masons, (Royal Arch Mason). Those closest to Roger loved him for his quiet manor, his kind words, his constant support and his great pride in all of their accomplishments. He was blessed with the gift of storytelling, many good friends, hunting companions, working buddies and a family who loved and respected him dearly.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Elna. His surviving family includes his sister, Frances (Carlson) Iverson; Donna (Carlson) and David Grover, Craig and Alison Grover, Aksel and Anika Elna, Craig and Carol (Grover) Koefod, Christian and Catherine, Greg and Diane Hanson, Debbie and Doug Campbell, Ethan, Seth and Luke, Troy and Pilar Hanson and Alexandra, Val and Barry Wilkerson, Jill Wilkerson and many friends, nieces and nephews. Blessed be the memory of a kind and gentle man, Roger Carlson.

Visitation: Monday from 5 to 7 PM at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and resuming for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Service: Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby

Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson

Burial: Pelican Lake Cemetery in Ashby

Military Rites: Peterson-Tripp American Legion Post 357 – Ashby

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby

Condolences: www.glendenilson.com