Howard Carlson

HOWARD CARLSON was the first twin born to David and Hulda (Sandgren) Carlson on March 24, 1922 in Magnolia Township, Rock County, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm east of Luverne, Minnesota and received some elementary education at county school. He was chosen by his father to help him on the farm and thus began his career in agriculture. Howard married Genevieve DeBates on February 5, 1945 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Minnesota. Following their marriage the couple rented various farms living and working the land near Hardwick, Minnesota, Beaver Creek, Minnesota. By the early 1960's their wanderlust had the family in the Ruthton, Minnesota area and finally moved back to Jasper in the late 1960's, where he stopped farming all together. They moved to Belle Fouche, South Dakota where Howard worked with his brother, Warren in the mining pits. In the mid-70's the couple moved to Florence, Minnesota where they owned and operated a bar. After selling the bar they moved back to Ruthton and Howard worked at the elevator while doing some custom farming on the side. Howard and Genevieve finally moved back to Hardwick and he worked at Luverne Bumper until his retirement in 2001. Genevieve was diagnosed with cancer in 1997 and fought a good battle until she died in October of 2002. Howard died on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone, he had lived to reach the age of 91 years.

Howard was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. He enjoyed dancing, shooting pool, and fishing. He was also a member of the Luverne Eagles Club.

Howard is survived by his nine children, Jean McGeath and her life partner Jane McGeath, Michael and his wife Lorae Carlson and Paul and his wife Ihla Carlson all of Pipestone, Minnesota, Kathleen and her husband Donald Soderblom of Winter Springs, Florida, Richard Carlson of Tyler, Minnesota, Donald and his wife Donna Carlson of Charleston, West Virginia, Duane and his wife Jane Carlson of Orlando, Florida, Howard Lee and his wife Karen Carlson of Willmar, Minnesota, and Mary Beth Carlson of Tyler, Minnesota; 25 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way and one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Luverna Hillard of Luverne, Minnesota and Florence Connell of Kansas City, Missouri. He is preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve; one son, David; his parents; two sisters; and four brothers.

Hartquist Funeral Home in Pipestone, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements for Howard.