Dean Carlson

Dean Carlson, 78, Ada, MN, formerly Twin Valley, MN, died Saturday, May 12, 2007 in the Bridges Care Community, Ada. Everett Dean Carlson was born February 27, 1929, near Fertile, MN, the son of Otto and Clara Carlson. He was raised on a farm northwest of Twin Valley with his family. In his youth, Dean attended country school near his home and later graduated in 1948 from Twin Valley High School where he played football and basketball. After high school Dean entered the United States Air Force where he served his country as a jet mechanic. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Olympia, WA, where he was employed with Boeing Aircraft. On June 17, 1955, Dean was united in marriage to Theda Fogleman in Olympia. They lived there for a short time before moving to Moorhead, Minnesota, where Dean entered Moorhead State Teachers College. After receiving his Bachelors of Science degree they moved to Twin Valley, where Dean began his teaching profession at the Twin Valley High School. He taught both Industrial Arts and Drivers Education for 20 years. In 1978, Dean had to retire due to a car accident that left him disabled. Dean and Theda continued to make their home in Twin Valley for the next 25 plus years except for a short time spent in Fargo. A few years ago, he became a resident of the Bridges Care Community and Theda moved into the Summerfield Apartments, both in Ada. Before Dean’s accident he was an avid bowler, gardener, and enjoyed snowmobiling. He was a carpenter and mechanic and all-round handyman, not only for his family, but throughout the community. Dean loved being with kids of all ages, regardless if it was his own children, his students or other children within the community. It didn’t matter if those young people were in his yard, his shop, within his home, in the Drivers Ed car, or the Sunday school classes he taught. He had the ability of gently teaching, often without them even knowing they were being taught. After his accident he still greatly enjoyed going for drives and seeing the countryside. Dean is survived by his wife, Theda, and one daughter, Cindy and her husband, Dennis Heitman, both of Ada, MN; two sons, Dwight (Ike) and his wife, Kathy of Princeton, MN and Kent and his wife, Karen of Altadena, CA; one sister, Ina Parr, Crookston, MN and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by a young man that was raised like a son to them, Aaron (AJ) and his wife, Josie Johnson of Princeton, MN. He was preceded in death by one sister, Doris and two brothers, Arvid and Orlo. Funeral services will be held Thursday May 17th at 11:00am in the Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, MN. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church on Thursday. Pastor Charlie Bade will officiate with Danette Gwin serving as organist. The pallbearers will be Ike Carlson, Kent Carlson, Aaron Johnson, Cindy Heitman, Dennis Heitman and Genna Carlson. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Kirstie Carlson, Cammy Carlson, Alec Carlson, Luke Heitman, Leila Heitman and Gretta Johnson. Full military honors will be provided by the Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post # 431 of the American Legion with burial in the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Dean Carlson

February 27, 1929 - May 12, 2007