Obituary: Erik Carlson

Erik Carlson

New Rockford, N.D.

Erik Joshua Carlson was born on January 8, 1982. On February 10, 1982, he was adopted into the Mauritz and Eilene Carlson family, Sheyenne, N.D. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Sheyenne. He graduated from Sheyenne High School in 2000 and upon graduation he attended Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Minn. He was an Assistant Manager at Dakota Boys Ranch Thrift Store for several years, until he moved back to ranch with his father on the family farm. On October 27, 2021, he married Carly Jo Thompson and they resided in New Rockford, N.D.

On May 13, 2022, Erik returned home from working with the cattle and collapsed on the landing steps. He died from natural causes at CHI St. Alexius Medical Center, Carrington, N.D. "He died with his boots on."

Honorary bearers were all of Erik's close friends and family.

Erik had a deep love for animals and the outdoors. This love started young and was evident in the many awards he won in both 4-H and Science Fair Competitions. He won the State Junior High Science Fair as a sixth grader, which prompted the rules committee to make sixth graders ineligible in following years. He had many dogs throughout his life, but his favorite was his current German Shepherd, named Elska, meaning "love" in Icelandic.

Erik loved music and had been playing drums since third grade. He was active in several bands throughout his life.

Erik will be deeply missed by his wife, Carly Jo; his parents, Mauritz and Eilene; one sister, Theresa Howatt- Perry, Omaha, Neb.; brothers, Danny (Emily) Hebert and Rodney Sunderland; sister, Reanna Molstad, brother-in-law, Joe Thompson; mother-in-law, Judy (Pete) Polansky; father-in-law, Joe P. Thompson; several aunts and uncles; and one niece and three nephews.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents; brother-in-law, Mark Howatt; and aunt, Vivian Carlson.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford, N.D.