Wallace Carlson

Wallace James Carlson (1939-1922)

Wallace James Carlson, age 83, of Rothsay, MN, died on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, after a long illness. He was surrounded by family, at the home of his sister, Marjorie Mathison, in Fargo, ND.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Wally Carlson was born on June 20, 1939, to Hans and Agnes (Lill) Carlson in Pelican Rapids, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Leonard Catholic Church and graduated in 1957 from Pelican Rapids High School, where he was a chairperson for the 11:45 Dance Club and played basketball and baseball for the Vikings.

After a semester at the University of Minnesota, Wally enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Omaha, NE. During his service, he played golf competitively all over the world for the USAF.

In 1968, Wally earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science at the University of Nebraska—Omaha. After that, always happiest as his own boss, he owned a bar in Elizabeth, MN for a few years, and then he spent the rest of his working life as an independent contractor on projects in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Michigan.

He loved fishing, duck hunting, golfing, reading books, playing pinochle, and finishing the daily crossword puzzle.

Wally is survived by his sister, Marjorie Mathison, of Fargo, ND; twelve nieces and nephews: Susan Mathison, Shelley Holmes, Chris Mathison (Liz), Brian Mathison (Jenny), David Mathison, Kathy Cole (Trae), Peter Mathison (Sara), Julie Carlson, Lisa Lowe (Keith), Paul Carlson, John Carlson (Laura), and Amy Duncan (Rob); thirty-five great nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He is also survived by a son, Matthew Cole Jones (Shawn), and granddaughter Hannah, of San Diego, CA.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents Hans (1990) and Agnes Carlson (1997), sister Mary Lou Carlson (1953), brother Howard Carlson (2017), brother-in-law Mark Mathison (2021), and sister-in-law Gail Carlson (2021).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, 6301 19th Ave NW, P.O. Box 5007, Minot, ND 58702.

Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.