Charles "Chuck" & Marilyn Carlson

Charles “Chuck” Carlson, age 88,  passed away on Saturday evening, January 16, 2021, and Marilyn Carlson, age 85  passed away on Sunday afternoon, February 7, 2021, both surrounded by the love of their family at Cannon Valley Suites of the Northfield Retirement Community.

A joint memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, August 6, 2021, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Pastor Rachel Stout officiating. Interment with full military honors will at the Parkers Prairie Cemetery. A reception will follow interment.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Obituary for Charles "Chuck"

Charles Edward Carlson was born October 23, 1932, on the family farm in Douglas County near Spruce Center, Minnesota, to Adin and Viola (Nelson) Carlson. Chuck graduated from Alexandria High School in 1950. He worked at the family farm until enlisting in the Army in 1953. He served two years in Germany. After receiving his honorable discharge Chuck returned to Minnesota. On November 6, 1955, he married Marilyn Johnson at Compton Church in Ottertail County. The couple lived in Babbitt for 13 years where Chuck worked in the mines. He attended community college and became a nursing home administrator. They moved to Northfield in 1969, and Chuck served as the administrator for the Odd Fellows Home (now Three Links). In 1977, they moved to Blue Earth, where Chuck was administrator at St. Luke’s Lutheran Home until 1986. After a quick sojourn in Midland, Texas, Chuck and Marilyn moved to Scottsdale, where they worked as maintenance managers for a luxury apartment complex. After 11 years, they retired to Sun City, where they made a home for 19 years. In March 2017, they returned to Northfield to be close to family. Wherever the family lived, Chuck was an active church member, serving on church council, teaching Sunday School, and leading Luther League trips to the Boundary Waters. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling with Marilyn, including camping trips in the 5th wheel and a trip to Sweden to visit their heritage. They knew people everywhere and enjoyed stopping to see friends and family along the way.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Marilyn; three children, Bob (Bonnie) of CA, Jim (Stacie) of MT, and Karen (Brian) Turner of Northfield; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan), Jessica, Hannah (Zack) all of CA; Seth (Carlie) of MT, Deanna (Corey), Amanda of MN; Tiana and Trenton of WA; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Virginia (Gary) Betts of WI, Carol (Lee) Djupstrom of WI, and Harriet (Ken) Pexsa of MN; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by an infant son, an infant brother and his parents.

Obituary for Marilyn
Marilyn Ruth Carlson was born June 15, 1935, on the family farm in Compton Township, Ottertail County, Minnesota, to William and May (Perkins) Johnson. She grew up on the family farm, graduating from Wadena High School in 1953. She worked as a secretary in Wadena until she married Charles Carlson on November 6, 1955, at the Compton Church. After marriage they lived in Babbitt, MN for 13 years. In 1969, they moved to Northfield where Marilyn worked as church secretary at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for several years. In 1977, they moved to Blue Earth for 8 years. After a quick sojourn in Midland, Texas, they moved to Scottsdale, AZ where they worked as maintenance managers for a luxury apartment complex. After 11 years, they retired to Sun City, AZ where they made a home for 19 years. In March 2017, they returned to Northfield to be close to family. Wherever the family lived, Marilyn was active in her church, Bible studies, teaching Sunday School and volunteering with the food shelf. She was an amazing cook and baker – entertaining people was one of her favorite activities. She enjoyed baking, counted cross-stitch, collecting spoons, and spending time with family. She and Chuck traveled, including trips across North America in their 5th wheel, and a trip to Sweden to explore their family heritage. Chuck passed away on January 16, 2021.

Survivors include three children, Bob (Bonnie) of CA, Jim (Stacie) of MT, and Karen (Brian) Turner of Northfield; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan), Jessica, Hannah (Zack) all of CA; Seth (Carlie) of MT, Deanna (Corey), Amanda of MN; Tiana and Trenton of WA; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Irene Goebel of Grand Forks, and Beverly Olson of Parkers Prairie; her brother, Russell Johnson of Cut Bank, MT; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant son, William, and her parents.

Honorary Pallbearers – all grandchildren – Sarah McCabe, Jessica Carlson, Hannah Zalesky, Seth Carlson, Deanna Johnson, Amanda Turner, Tiana Fitzsimmon and Trenton Kautzman.

Memorials are preferred to Northfield Retirement Community, 900 Cannon Valley Dr W, Northfield, MN 55057. The entire staff of NRC delivered such loving care. Both Chuck and Marilyn appreciated the care from all departments, while residing on various areas of the campus.