William D Carlson

NORTHVIEW - North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
507-388-2288

William Dewey Carlson, age 97, of Mankato, died peacefully and entered into his new life with Jesus, Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Keystone Communities, Mankato.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the Resurrection Lutheran Church (formerly First Christian Church) 1735 E. Main St., Mankato, MN. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation will held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2012 at NORTHVIEW " North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr., North Mankato, MN 56003 and will continue one hour prior to service at the church. Bill preferred memorials be given to Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mankato or Courage Center in Minneapolis.

Bill was born February 26, 1915 in Balaton, MN to Harry and Hedvig (Nelson) Carlson. He graduated from Balaton High School in 1932 and attended two years at Mankato Commercial College. Bill then served in the U.S. Army during WWII for 56 months. He was united in marriage to Betty Hoffman on September 15, 1946 at the First Christian Church, Mankato. Two children were born to this union, Nancy in 1949 and Patricia in 1951. In March of 1948, Bill and Betty founded the Carlson Letter Service in their home. It quickly outgrew the home and was operated out of several different locations in Mankato and North Mankato until Bill retired in 1974. At that time the business was called Carlson Craft and was a specialty printer, primarily of wedding stationary. They provided part time employment to many students.

Bill was deeply involved with his local church, The First Christian Church. There he was an elder, board member, church school teacher, superintendent and helped in any other capacity needed. He also served on the Disciples Of Christ regional board and on the National Church Board for 8 years. Bill was a member of North Mankato Rotary, 21 years; Mankato Rehab Center, 8 years; Mankato Area United Way, 3 years. He was also a member of many other committees. Bill was a recipient of the "Governor's Award for Service to Youth," "Boss of the Year Award," "Entrepreneur Award," by Small Business Administration, "Service to Mankind Award," by the Sertoma Club, and "Book of Golden Deeds Award" by the Exchange Club, among other recognitions and awards.

Bill was very active with the Courage Center of Golden Valley where he served for 15 years in various ways including, Administrative, Camping and Building Committees. He enjoyed traveling, photography, trains, antique automobiles, gardening, and most of all, his family and church.

His first wife, Betty Hoffman, died in 1988. He and Viola Lundblad, his college sweetheart of Slayton, MN, married and made their home in Mankato, most recently at Keystone Community.

Bill is survived by his wife, Viola Lundblad Carlson; two daughters, Nancy (Neil) Bonkoski and Patricia Carlson; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jeffrey (Shelley) Bonkoski, Micah, Elissa, Kaitlyn; Benjamin (Laurie) Lachecki, Braden, Ella, Elijah; Rachel (Wayne) Sackett, Tierra, Tianna, Taylor, Sareece; Elizabeth (David) Standlee, Justin; Andrew McIlvaine and girlfriend Jessica Schmidt; Jonathan (Emelia) Bonkoski, Brianna, Carl and step-grandchildren, Douglas McIlvaine and Eric McIlvaine. He is also survived by his two step-sons, Dennis Lundblad and his wife, Dianne, of Pipestone, MN; Lenard Lundblad of Richmond, VA and several step-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty in 1988; his parents, Harry and Hedvig; his stepmother, Emily and half-sister, Fern.