Raymond Carlson, 100, of Ottawa, died on Wednesday morning, September 6, 2017 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in LaSalle.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Ottawa with Rev. Nathan Feig, Pastor, and Rev. David Ufkes, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park where full military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Ray was born on January 2, 1917 in Rockford, IL to Sven Otto and Ellen (Hallen) Carlson.He married Vertie Mae Thomas on November 22, 1947, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard. Ray worked as a farmer in the Belvidere area, milkman, sold livestock feed, worked in Auto parts sales until he bought the Tow Path House in Ottawa where he refinished furniture until the age of 95. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, American Legion Post 33, Ottawa Moose Lodge, Oddfellows, and Apple Peeler Enthusiasts.
He is survived by 5 children, Lynn Carlson of Scottsdale, AZ, Paul (Sandy) Carlson of Palm Bay, FL, Gene (Jayne) Carlson of Marseilles, John M. (Gail) Carlson of Marseilles, and Nancy (Dennis) Murry of Ottawa; 10 grandchildren, Chanda (Ron) Marti, Tony (Lisa) Carlson, Arik (Kim) Carlson, Andrew Carlson, Michelle (Eric) Peterson, Krista (Steve) Blatt, Mike Carlson, Christy (Al) Gray, Chad Murry and Stacey (Alex) Burke; and 17 great-grandchildren, Dakota Marti, Kenny, Tyler, Vivian, Bryce and Belle Carlson, Noah Smith, Libby Blatt, Mikayla, Trevor and Thomas Carlson, Anna and James Burke, Brynn and Alexander Gray and Joel and Noah Morstatter.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vertie, on June 28, 2015, and six siblings: William, Donald, and Wilmer Carlson, Audrey Meyer, Robert Johnson, and Adeline Rudeen.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle.
Ray has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.