Ernie E Carlson

Celebration of Life Services for Ernest E. "Ernie" Carlson will be held on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Jamie Strickler officiating. Private family interment will be in the Immanuel Cemetery in rural Harlan County, Nebraska prior to the services.

Ernest Edwin Carlson, 90 years of age, of Holdrege (formerly of rural Ragan, Nebraska) passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Ernie was born November 28, 1924 on a farm three miles west and one mile north of Ragan, in Harlan County, Nebraska, the son of Hugo John and Anna "Pauline" (Carlson) Carlson. Ernie was confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1939. He received his primary education from District #50 in Harlan County through the fifth grade and then from Ragan Public School, where he graduated from Ragan High School with the class of 1942. Following his education, Ernie engaged in farming and raising livestock on the family farm that was homesteaded southwest of Ragan in Harlan County. Besides his farming interest, Ernie was also employed by Kinder Morgan Gas Company as a machine operator for 22 years.

On February 27, 1955 he was united in marriage to Laura "Pearl" Lamb and one daughter, Sheila was adopted in 1961, when she was six weeks of age. The family continued to make their home on the family farm southwest of Ragan. While on the farm, Ernie had a personal goal to paint all the buildings on his farm white, which he successfully achieved, enjoyed and was proud of. He especially enjoyed working with horses. Ernie loved visiting with people, and always said, "A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet!" Friends will always remember Ernie approaching in his bib overalls anxious to share in another conversation with them. He was always interested in history and could recall many details about places and people. In 1998, Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl.

He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege and a member of the Farm Bureau for many years.

Besides his wife, Pearl; Ernie was also preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers in infancy.

Ernie leaves to celebrate his life; his daughter, Sheila Voshell of Holdrege; two grandchildren: Melissa Voshell of Omaha, Nebraska and Eric Voshell of Kearney, Nebraska; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Ernie's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.