Avis Beverly Carlson

Avis Beverly Carlson left this world on April 23, at the age of 90 years, to meet her Lord and Savior face to face.   She had resided at Harmony River Care Center in Hutchinson since June of 2020.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.  Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. prior to the service on Thursday.  Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Allina Hospice.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Avis Beverly Carlson was born in Dovre Township in Kandiyohi County to Helmer and Lydia (Lindgren) Evenson on August 27, 1931.  She spent her first 14 years growing up on the farm southwest of Sunburg.   The family later moved to rural Svea where she was confirmed and met Eldon Carlson, who would become her husband of 68 years.   Avis loved horses, and she had a special fondness for the large work horses and loved it when the colts were born and talked of playing in the pasture with them.    Her father was skilled with the horses and she shared in his love for them and loved animals.  

Avis married Eldon Carlson on December 25, 1949 in Spicer, Minnesota   They were blessed with 4 children and 68 years in marriage, until Eldon’s passing on January 21, 2018.   Eldon and Avis built their home in Willmar where they lived until 1960, when they moved to a farm south of Kandiyohi.   They lived there until 1994, when they moved to Becker, and then in 2000, they settled in Maynard.

Avis attended rural school in the Sunburg and Svea districts and later completed her GED in 1981.  She attended college to pursue her dream to become a nurse.   That was not to be, but she worked at Wal-Mart for several years in Willmar and she made many good friends there.  Avis was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed caring for her family.   She enjoyed cooking and baking, tending to her flowers and her home.   Faith, prayer and Bible reading were top priorities in her life.  She raised her family to understand the importance of following Christ and his love for them.     

Avis is survived by her four children, Galen (and Jan) Carlson of New Richmond, WI., Paul (and Ruth) Carlson of Suring, WI., Lynette (and Allan) Gregory of Sunburg and Jeffrey Carlson of Elmore; eight grandchildren, Jason (and Kris) Carlson, Christopher (and Tonya) Carlson, Alysia Heidecker, Danielle (and Jayson) Skindelien, Jonathan (and Stacy) Carlson, Holly (and Joel) Ortman, David (and Miranda) Carlson and Amber (and Tyler) Berberia and seven great grandchildren.   Also surviving are three sisters, Francine (and Chuck) Swenson of Sauk Rapids, Faith Skindelien of New London, and Maverine (and Gordy) Anderson of Onamia.  Special mention to Lynette Carlson of Janesville, WI., and Ella Mae Nordmans of Raymond (sister-in-law) and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband,  Eldon;  her parents; four brothers,  Harland, Carroll, Myron and Ludean; and three sisters, June, Lorraine and Charlene.