Shirley E Carlson

Shirley E. Carlson, age 87 of Park River and Lankin, ND passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the First Care Health Center of Park River, ND.

Shirley E. Moe was born December 14, 1936 on the Moe farm in Norton Township Walsh County, ND, the daughter of the late Emil and Selma (Hogfoss) Moe. She was baptized and married on the family farm. Shirley attended Lankin Public School, graduating in 1954. Following her education she worked as a telephone operator in Lankin and the Reyleck’s Department Store in Grafton.  Shirley was united in marriage to Reuben Carlson on September 3, 1955 on the family farm. The couple lived and farmed near Lankin, raising their six children along with a variety of livestock, including cattle, chickens, pigs and sheep. She had a large garden on the farm and canned the produce. She also did some seasonal farm work for Hankey Farms. The couple retired from farming in 1989. Shirley worked as a bank teller for Security State Bank and later First United Bank in Adams, starting in 1978 and retiring in 2001. Reuben passed away in 2002.  Shirley spent 10 winters in Florida and in 2016 she moved to Park River.

She was a member of the Hoff Lutheran Church and served as Sec/Treasurer for the WELCA. She was also a member of the Lankin American Legion Auxiliary. Shirley loved her 4 B’s, Bingo, Bowling and Basketball and Baseball. She loved spending time with her grandchildren following their activities and birthday parties. She loved meeting up with her birthday club, her classmates and all her good friends routinely.

Shirley is survived by her children: Darrell (Sherry) Carlson, Pisek, ND;  Elaine (Brad) Dahl, Park River, ND; Mark Carlson, Lankin, ND; Mitch (Paulette) Carlson, Lamoure, ND; daughter-in-law, Susan Carlson, Grafton, ND; eight grandchildren: Kim (Ryan Johnston) Rost, Danny (Lindsey Smith) Carlson, Amie (Jim) Vasichek, Josh (Susan) Dahl, Jason Dahl, Jevin (Tara) Dahl, Tanner Carlson, Courtney (Dillion) Steinolfson; 17 great grandchildren and one more due within the month: Bevan (Zachary Adams) , Chloe and Aidan Rost, Hunter, Amaryllis, & Raelynn Carlson, Lauren, James, & Claire Vasichek, Samuel, Siena, Hendrix & Lydia Dahl, Lilie, Evan & Axton Dahl, and Hayes Steinolfson; her sister, Judy Johnson, Winter Haven, FL; sister-in-law, Judy Bondy, Fargo, ND.  She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Rebecca and son Douglas.

Funeral services will be Friday, November 1, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Park River, ND. Visitation will be Thursday, October 31, from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Hoff Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Lankin, ND.   The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website.