Raymond
Raymond Carlson
d. September 11, 2013
Raymond C. Carlson of rural Mandan, ND passed away September 9, 2013 at the age of 90.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 13, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Reverend Lee Herberg officiating. Burial will be at Stone Cemetery, southwest of Mandan.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Raymond was born May 11, 1923 to Oscar and Anna (Anderson) Carlson of rural Mandan in what was then known as the Stone Community. He grew up on the farm and was a hard worker, helping his father who had limited use of his legs. Raymond worked with teams of horses as well as early farm tractors and machinery. He loved farming, especially combining at harvest time. Raymond had a gift for fixing things and was very skilled at mechanics. In the winter of ‘42-‘43, Raymond went to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to work in a zinc plant for the war effort. He returned to the farm in the spring. Raymond later worked for his older brother, Waldo Carlson, and his brother-in-law, Loren Anderson, who built many commercial buildings in Bismarck and surrounding communities. He helped build the JC Penney store in downtown Bismarck, Annunciation Priory, and many other projects. On November 3, 1955, Raymond married Doris Stewart. Doris had been teaching at Chimney Butte School in the neighborhood when she caught Raymond’s eye. Raymond continued to work construction and farmed. When Raymond’s brother Archie died, he and Doris bought Archie’s farm in 1961. There they raised their family of three sons, Lynn, Dennis, and Kenton. One winter Raymond went to work at Twin City Implement repairing combines in the shop part time. Soon he was asked to work full time and was later promoted to shop foreman. Customers often wanted Raymond to work on their equipment as they knew he did a good job and would treat them right. In 1966, the family’s home burned to the ground. In 1969 Raymond and Doris bought Oscar’s farm and moved his house and many of the farm buildings over to their property. In the late 70’s Raymond decided to leave Twin City Implement to devote all of his time to farming with his wife and sons. In 1981 Raymond was elected to the West River Telecommunications (WRT) Board of Directors. Raymond’s father, Oscar, helped gather signatures and pledges to organize West River Telephone to bring telephone service to the unserved rural areas. Oscar was chairman of the first board of directors and Raymond was very proud to serve as director of the cooperative his father helped organize. He served as director for more than 31 years, retiring in January 2013.
Raymond loved the poem “The Village Blacksmith” and recited it from heart. He lived it as well. Raymond was a self-taught welder and became very proficient. Neighbors often brought parts for him to weld that professionals refused to work on or said couldn’t be fixed. Raymond would weld it and it lasted. He always did his best and was successful. He taught his son’s to be good at what they did and taught them many skills.
Raymond was a Godly man. He participated in Bible studies and Luther League through Stone Lutheran Church when he was young. Raymond and the family attended Rural United Methodist Church until it closed. Living a Christian life as a witness to others was important to Raymond. He often said “Only one life, twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” quoting a poem by C.T. Studd. Raymond served on the Chimney Butte School board, was a director on the Mandan Farmers Elevator board from 1984 to 1986 and served as Chairman one year. He continued to be actively involved in farming as he farmed with his son, Dennis. Raymond made many friends throughout his life. He enjoyed visiting with people. His wit, sense of humor, strong uncompromising values, and hard work ethic served him well all of his years.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Anna, his brothers, Waldo (Aileen), Harlin, Archie (Anne); and sisters, Eunice (Loren) Anderson and Julia Carlson. Raymond is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris; sons, Lynn, Dennis (Kristi) and their daughter Brittany, and Kenton (Marnie) and their children Bailey, Josie and Tanner. Raymond also leaves numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children.
Memorials may be given to Stone Lutheran Cemetery Association or charity of the donor’s choice.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 13, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Reverend Lee Herberg officiating. Burial will be at Stone Cemetery, southwest of Mandan.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Raymond was born May 11, 1923 to Oscar and Anna (Anderson) Carlson of rural Mandan in what was then known as the Stone Community. He grew up on the farm and was a hard worker, helping his father who had limited use of his legs. Raymond worked with teams of horses as well as early farm tractors and machinery. He loved farming, especially combining at harvest time. Raymond had a gift for fixing things and was very skilled at mechanics. In the winter of ‘42-‘43, Raymond went to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to work in a zinc plant for the war effort. He returned to the farm in the spring. Raymond later worked for his older brother, Waldo Carlson, and his brother-in-law, Loren Anderson, who built many commercial buildings in Bismarck and surrounding communities. He helped build the JC Penney store in downtown Bismarck, Annunciation Priory, and many other projects. On November 3, 1955, Raymond married Doris Stewart. Doris had been teaching at Chimney Butte School in the neighborhood when she caught Raymond’s eye. Raymond continued to work construction and farmed. When Raymond’s brother Archie died, he and Doris bought Archie’s farm in 1961. There they raised their family of three sons, Lynn, Dennis, and Kenton. One winter Raymond went to work at Twin City Implement repairing combines in the shop part time. Soon he was asked to work full time and was later promoted to shop foreman. Customers often wanted Raymond to work on their equipment as they knew he did a good job and would treat them right. In 1966, the family’s home burned to the ground. In 1969 Raymond and Doris bought Oscar’s farm and moved his house and many of the farm buildings over to their property. In the late 70’s Raymond decided to leave Twin City Implement to devote all of his time to farming with his wife and sons. In 1981 Raymond was elected to the West River Telecommunications (WRT) Board of Directors. Raymond’s father, Oscar, helped gather signatures and pledges to organize West River Telephone to bring telephone service to the unserved rural areas. Oscar was chairman of the first board of directors and Raymond was very proud to serve as director of the cooperative his father helped organize. He served as director for more than 31 years, retiring in January 2013.
Raymond loved the poem “The Village Blacksmith” and recited it from heart. He lived it as well. Raymond was a self-taught welder and became very proficient. Neighbors often brought parts for him to weld that professionals refused to work on or said couldn’t be fixed. Raymond would weld it and it lasted. He always did his best and was successful. He taught his son’s to be good at what they did and taught them many skills.
Raymond was a Godly man. He participated in Bible studies and Luther League through Stone Lutheran Church when he was young. Raymond and the family attended Rural United Methodist Church until it closed. Living a Christian life as a witness to others was important to Raymond. He often said “Only one life, twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” quoting a poem by C.T. Studd. Raymond served on the Chimney Butte School board, was a director on the Mandan Farmers Elevator board from 1984 to 1986 and served as Chairman one year. He continued to be actively involved in farming as he farmed with his son, Dennis. Raymond made many friends throughout his life. He enjoyed visiting with people. His wit, sense of humor, strong uncompromising values, and hard work ethic served him well all of his years.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Anna, his brothers, Waldo (Aileen), Harlin, Archie (Anne); and sisters, Eunice (Loren) Anderson and Julia Carlson. Raymond is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris; sons, Lynn, Dennis (Kristi) and their daughter Brittany, and Kenton (Marnie) and their children Bailey, Josie and Tanner. Raymond also leaves numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children.
Memorials may be given to Stone Lutheran Cemetery Association or charity of the donor’s choice.
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