CARLSON, Fred

Fred Carlson, 86 years of age from Axtell, Nebraska passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the Long Term Care Unit of the Kearney County Health Services in Minden. Fred was born on September 7, 1924 in Colon, Nebraska to Johan Oscar and Ella Minnie (Ackerson) Carlson. He grew up in that area and graduated from Mead High School in 1941. Fred was a member of the U.S. Army serving in the European Theater during World War II. He served from 1943 until 1946. On May 25, 1947 he married Julianne Gustafson at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell, Nebraska. They lived and farmed near Axtell. They moved into Axtell in 1958. Fred was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell and was active in Lutheran Church Men and had served on many committees within the church. He was also active in the community and had served on the School Board, was a member of the Axtell Lion's Club, served on the Kearney County Farm Bureau Board, and was past chairman of the Bethany Home Board in Minden when the Bethany Home Chapel was built. He was a member of the Minden American Legion Post #94 and was an active member of the Holdrege Camp of Gideons International. Fred's hobbies were his family, his church and his work. Memorials are suggested to the Gideon's Bible Fund. Survivors include his wife Julianne of Axtell; three sons, Neil Carlson and his wife, Carol of Axtell, Paul Carlson and his wife, Karen of O'Neill and Philip Carlson of Axtell; one daughter, Kristin Roach and her husband, Lee of Omaha; five grandchildren, Brandon Carlson and his wife Arielle, Dustin Carlson, Steven Carlson, Jonathan Carlson and Ann Wyatt and her husband John. He is preceded in death by one sister, Mabel Skovgaard. Funeral services will be on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell with Gale Dorn officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell with military rites provided by the Minden American Legion. Visitation will be at the Layton-Craig Funeral Home in Minden on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. with the family present. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.laytoncraigfuneralhome.com.