Obituary: Gladys Carlson

Gladys Carlson

New Rockford, N.D.

Gladys LaVonne Carlson, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, N.D.

Gladys' visitation was held Friday, Aug. 9 from 1-4 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford and from 5-6 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 6 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford. Her funeral service was held Saturday, Aug. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford. Her burial followed at Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford. Rev. Amy Kippen officiated the service with special music by Eric and Nancy Bollingberg. Pallbearers were Wyatt Hahlen, Brandon Yri, Gage Bollingberg, Justin Langley, Brady Richter and Bret Carlson. Honorary bearers were all of Gladys' grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Gladys LaVonne (Gjestvang) Carlson was born Dec. 7, 1935 in New Rockford, N.D. She was the fourth of seven children born to Helen Nora (Rude) and Ivar Anton Gjestvang. She grew up in Lake Washington Township, where she attended grade school. Later attending school in New Rockford, she lived in a boarding house with other girls. She was proud to eventually receive her GED.

On June 27, 1951, she married Freddy Arnold Carlson, the love of her life, at the First Lutheran Church in New Rockford. They lived on the family farm in Tiffany Township, raising seven children, which was always her top priority. In 1989 they retired and moved to New Rockford. Later she was blessed with numerous grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great-grandkids, whom she loved and adored.

Freddy passed away in 1999. Gladys continued to live in their home in New Rockford, which was a home away from home for many of her grandchildren over the years. She later moved into the Heritage House in 2018. As her Alzheimer's progressed, she transferred to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd.

Gladys loved the farm life, including keeping books for the farm, gardening, driving truck, assisting with whatever was needed and providing numerous delicious meals. She was known for all her homemade pies, cookies, lefse, donuts, lemon rolls and angel food cakes.

She enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, quilting, dominos, cards, dancing and singing with her sisters. She had a fruit cellar and freezer full of canned goods and potatoes to last through the winter. She sewed many of her children's clothes. She loved quilting, in which she made denim embroidered quilts for all her grandchildren. She also assisted in sewing numerous quilts to be sent to those in need.

She always loved music; she was active in the church choir. She loved walking, putting on many miles walking around town.

She was involved in many organizations including Eagles Auxiliary, First Lutheran Church various boards, Tiffany Meadowlarks 4-H, Tiffany Ladies Aide, and was Treasurer of the Tiffany Township for many years. She volunteered for many community activities, including organizing blood drives, Sunday School, Bible School and numerous boards at First Lutheran Church. She organized numerous First Lutheran rummage/bake sales, for which she and her sisters made tons of lefse.

She is survived by her two sons, Johnny (Theresa) and Danny (Sheryl), both of New Rockford, N.D.; four daughters, Cheryl (Kurt) Bollingberg of Cathay, N.D.; Diane (Roger) Langley of Sheyenne, N.D.; Vicky (Stuart) Richter of New Rockford, N.D.; Linette (Dale) Yri of Minnewaukan, N.D.; son-in-law Randy Anderson of Aberdeen, S.D.; 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren with one additional great-grandchild due in December; one brother, Marlyn (Linda) Gjestvang, sister LuAnn Johnson, and three sisters-in-law, LaDonna Keller, Glenna Gjestvang and Audrey McKelvey.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Freddy; daughter Bonnie Anderson; two daughters-in-law, Anna and Jodi; her parents and two sisters, two brothers and numerous brothers/sisters-in-law.

Gladys will be missed dearly by all her loved ones. Her legacy will endure

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