Gary Carlson

Gary Carlson, 81, of Warren, MN, died on the 4th of July, 2019, in North Star Manor, Warren.

Gary Ray Carlson was born on November 5, 1937, in Warren, to Axel and Mae Margaret (Rutz) Carlson. He spent his early years in Argyle, graduating from Warren High School in 1955, and serving in the National Guard for eight years. He started working the family farm from a young age with his father. Gary worked that land the rest of his life and his crops were as healthy and well-loved as a man's could be. He enjoyed driving around the region and taking in the scenery- while also inspecting the fields.

As a younger man, Gary enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as traveling with his folks. They would take frequent trips to the southwest. Name about any place in Texas and Gary would reply, “Been there.” He liked to read and he was a common fixture at the public library in Thief River.

Moving off the farm and into town in 1996, his house caught the worst of the floods three times. He enjoyed his home all the same and liked to sit in his yard and watch the wildlife. He raised a large and well-kept vegetable garden, and as much as he made his home, “home,” he made sure to visit his old farmyard often: even having the neighbors plow for him in the winter so he could drive out, sit in his car, and read the paper there.

He will be remembered by most as a quiet man; though if you took the time to really know him, you found he had a sharp wit and an easy smile for you. He worked for several area farmers including Murray Goodwin, Don and Wally Diedrich and Gordon Wetterlund. His land was most recently farmed by Jeff Monroe, who made sure Gary had a tractor with his name on it in case he wanted to work a bit. Gary's longtime companion, Arlene Neegard preceded him in death a few years back, and some of his finest years were spent visiting, traveling, gardening, and canning alongside her.

Though Gary had a small family of origin, the “family” he built around him will remember him fondly. He used to joke that his funeral would be “Just me and the priest:” thankfully his “family” is proving him wrong.

FUNERAL LITURGY: Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10:30am, in DuBore Funeral Home, Warren, MN.
INTERMENT: To follow in St. Rose Catholic Cemetery, Argyle, MN.