Kenneth J. Carlson

HOUSTON, MINN. - Kenneth J. Carlson, 82, of Houston, Minn. died on Monday January 5, 2009, at the Franciscan - Skemp Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wis. Kenneth was born on November 27, 1926, in rural Houston to Alfred and Alice (Nerison) Carlson. He was raised at Fort Ridgely in rural Houston, and also attended country school there. Kenneth was a member of Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Houston where he was confirmed in 1939. He moved with his family to Badger Valley in rural Houston when he was about 20 years old. Kenneth served in the U.S. Army shortly after the Korean Conflict. Farming was Kenneth's life. He farmed for many years with his brother, John. Kenneth enjoyed spending time at the Crossroads Café in Houston, and he especially enjoyed being with his nieces and nephews. He spent the last year and a half of his life being lovingly cared for by his nephew Dean and his wife Angie Happel and family in their home in Sheldon, Minn. Kenneth is survived by two sisters: Lylah Dragvold of Spring Grove, Minn. and Shirley Skree of Houston; two sisters-in-law: JoAnn Carlson of Houston and Darlene Carlson of Winona, Minn.; and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: John and Leonard Carlson; three brothers-in-law: Fergus Happel, Darrel Skree and Gerald Dragvold; and by one nephew, Dennis Happel. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Rev. Louise Stromberg Officiating. There will be Military Honors by the Arnet - Sheldon American Legion Post. Burial will be in the Swede Bottom Cemetery in Houston. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Houston Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Please leave a memory of Kenneth, sign his online guestbook, and view his tribute video when it becomes available online at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/47306