Margaret "Marge" Carlson

Margaret “Marge” E. Carlson, age 89, life-long resident of Parkers Prairie, died on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Alomere Health in Alexandria.

A funeral service will be held on 11 a.m., Monday, November 7, 2022, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Pastor Rachel Stout officiating.  Music will be provided by organist, Julie Lindgren and vocalist, Connie Birkholz. Marge's service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on her obituary page on the funeral home's website or by clicking HERE. Interment will take place at Parkers Prairie Cemetery.

A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., Sunday, November 6, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church and continue one hour prior to the service.

Margaret Elizabeth was born on May 5, 1933, to Harry and Alma (Reed) Inwards in Parkers Prairie. She was baptized on January 4, 1946, and confirmed on May 11, 1947, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie. She graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1951, and continued her education at Macalester College in St. Paul for one year. Marge returned home where she was united in marriage to Darrel Carlson on July 25, 1953, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Together the couple moved to the Carlson homestead where they raised their six children. In addition to raising children, Marge was the head bookkeeper and business manager of the farm and Carlson Trucking. Darrel and Marge enjoyed traveling extensively throughout their life spanning from the Great Wall of China to the Pyramids of Egypt. They had traveled to every continent apart from Antarctica. Among many of her life’s joys, she enjoyed reading, gardening, bird watching, accompanying the men’s quartet, and especially spending time with family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 65 ½ years, Darrel in 2019; son-in-law, Rafa Elmajri; brothers, Gene Inwards and Keith Inwards; brothers and sisters-in-law, Howard and Teddy Carlson, Warren and Judy Carlson, and Al Butler.

Marge is survived by her six children, Diane Elmajri of Woodbury, Mark (Sue) Carlson, Terry (Janet) Carlson both of Parkers Prairie, Kevin (Diane) Carlson of Woodbury, Dean (Michelle) Carlson of Eden Prairie and Amy (Lyle) Oeltjenbruns of Parkers Prairie; special daughter, Ruth Porras; 18 grandchildren, Aisha (Kofi) Robinson, Aliya (Andrew) Sullivan, Youssif Elmajri, Layla (Tre) Sayles, Nathan (Kayla) Carlson, McKenzie Price, Spencer (Kristen) Carlson, Caroline Carlson, Amanda (Tom) Sanvik, Brad (Carlye) Carlson, Brittany (Travis Kopischke) Carlson, Brandon (Jaclyn) Carlson, Brett Carlson, Brianna Carlson, Danielle (Bryce) Stoneburg, Chad (Brianna) Oeltjenbruns, Jesse (Brooke) Oeltjenbruns and Kali (Tyler) Hoppe; 18 great-grandchildren, Evan Knofczynski, Asher and Kai Robinson, Sawyer and Rowan Sullivan, Taius Sayles, Payton, Brylee, and Raelyn Carlson, Kade Carlson, Cade and Ben Sanvik, Venna and Dawson Carlson, Brooks Stoneburg, Caleb and Gracie Oeltjenbruns, and Jackson Hoppe; brother, Jim (Harriet) Inwards; sisters-in-laws, Gloria Butler, Mary Inwards, and Jeanette Inwards; and many nieces and nephews. 

Pallbearers are her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters.