Donald R. Carlson

Donald Randolph Carlson, age 83, of Glendive and formerly of Crookston, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2003 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 26, 2003 at the Chapel of the Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 16, 2003 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minnesota with Pastor Bill Reck officiating. Interment will be in the Gary Cemetery in Gary, Minnesota. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements. Donald was born on March 17, 1920 in Kennedy, Minnesota, the son of Andrew Alfred and Ellen (Nordine) Carlson. He attended country grade school in Svea Township in Minnesota and graduated from the 7th grade. Don then attended the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston from 1936 until his graduation in 1939. Don married Bernice Francis Sperling on May 5, 1946 in Warren, Minnesota. They lived in Ada, Minnesota where Don and his wife operated "Quickie Lunch CafÃ©" from 1947 until 1951. Don had been a farmer until 1948 when he went to work for the Great Northern Railroad, which became the love of his life. After 37 years of working for the railroad, he retired from Burlington Northern Railroad in Crookston, Minnesota and began to enjoy life in a new way. He joined and even served as President of the Golden K Kiwanis Club. He was extremely active and involved in the Senior Citizen's Group. He finally had time to bowl, garden, collect horse figurines, train sets, model cars and porcelain wildlife figurines. He was a hard worker and was loyal in all that he did. He took great pride in his welding accomplishments. While in Minnesota, Don attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston and Crookston's Golden Link Senior Citizen's Center. He volunteered gardening in the community and drove cancer patients to Grand Forks Treatment Center within the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Program. As his Parkinson's Disease and arthritis progressed, his disabilities took their toll. In April of 1998, he agreed to move to Glendive to be closer to his daughter and family. In spite of his immobility, Don was determined to live his life and stay involved. He joined Zion Lutheran Church, Kiwanis and attended the Senior Citizen's Dances and potlucks. He enjoyed living at Grandview Retirement Home, visiting with people, driving, watching all sports, and seeing his grandchildren and great grandchildren when possible. Up until the last couple of years, Don enjoyed attending the annual Carlson Family Reunions at Ramsey, Minnesota. Don shared special time and friendship with Dorothy Tronnes of Crookston, Minnesota - even long distance right up to his final days. Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice; his son, Jack Carlson in February of 2002; two brothers, James in 1965 and Allen in 1994. Survivors include his daughter, Cammy Sue Oakland and her husband Neil of Glendive; his son, Stephen D. Carlson of Rochester, Minnesota; his daughter-in-law, Susan Carlson of Arlington, Texas; three brothers, Clarence Carlson and his wife Velma of Crookston, Minnesota, Clifford Carlson and his wife Lek of Waite Park, Minnesota, and Franklin Carlson and his wife Marlys of Hallock, Minnesota; three sisters, Helaine Ingman of Grove City, Minnesota, Phyllis Carlson of St. Paul, Minnesota and Barbara Carlson of St. Paul, Minnesota; his very special friend, Dorothy Tronnes of Crookston, Minnesota; three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Memorials are suggested to the Parkinson's Action Network, 1000 Vermont Avenue NW - Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005.

Donald R. Carlson

March 17, 1920 - July 26, 2003

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Donald R. Carlson

March 17, 1920 - July 26, 2003

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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365 Days of Grief Support