Charles M. Carlson, 89, of Minneapolis, passed away Thursday, November 4, 2010 at the Ottawa County Health Center, Minneapolis. Charlie was born September 8, 1921 in Minneapolis to Roy and Minnie (Brown) Carlson and has been a lifelong resident of Minneapolis.
He attended school in Minneapolis, graduating from Minneapolis High School in 1939. He was a lifelong farmer and stockman. On November 7, 1948 he was united in marriage with Lucy Buck in Tescott, Kansas. They moved into their home one mile north of Minneapolis, where they would remain for over 50 years. As he showed her where they were going to live he mentioned that he wanted a child looking out of every window. Five children later, they began to board up the windows.
Charlie is survived by four sons, Kent and his wife Marcia of Hesston, Steve and his wife Pam of Minneapolis, Chris of Minneapolis, and Rob of Beloit; daughter Linda Saenger and her husband Larry of Minneapolis; eight grandchildren, Eric Carlson and his wife Stacie of Pace, Florida, Katie Truesdale and her husband Ronan of Boulder, Colorado, Jamie Binns and her husband Mitch of Wichita, Todd Saenger and his wife Jennifer of Minneapolis, Angela Perry and her husband John of Tescott, Mike Carlson and his wife Mindi, Michele Carlson, and Will Carlson and his wife Danika all of Minneapolis; great-grandchildren Richae Schrock, Cole, Zachary, Katie, and Johnna Perry, Emma and Noah Carlson, Abi Saenger, Gage Carlson and Jagger Carlson. He is also survived by his brother-in-law John Buck and his wife Melba and sister-in-law Ellen Collister all of Salina; and nieces and a nephew.
Charlie served on many community boards including 20 year terms on both the U.S.D. 239 School Board and the Ottawa County Hospital Boards. He was Board Chairman when the Ottawa County Hospital, clinic, and the new high school were built. Charlie was also on the boards of the Farmer's Elevator, Minneapolis Clinic, Ottawa County Bank, FHA, and the Highland Cemetery.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M., Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. Sunday at Wilson Shields Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, Ottawa County Health Center, or Highland Cemetery and may be left in care of the funeral home.