Stanley D. Carlson

Funeral Services for Stanley D. Carlson will be conducted from the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Paul Snider, officiating. Following the traditional funeral, cremation will take place and a private family inurnment will be held at the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County.

Stanley Dale Carlson, 74 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Stanley was born May 26, 1937 at the Peterson Hospital in Holdrege, the third of four children born to Milton and Margaret (Lindstrom) Carlson. Stanley received his primary education from the Ash Grove School and then Holdrege Public Schools, graduating from Holdrege High School with the class of 1955. He then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he was a Delta Upsilon Fraternity member and a Scarlet and Cream singer. Following his education, Stan returned home to the family farm in northern Phelps County, where he engaged in farming and fed cattle. Stan also served his country in the Nebraska National Guards.

On July 5, 1961, he was united in marriage to Marlyn I. "Marty" Erickson and to this union two sons were born: Randal and Gregory. The farm was his passion, and the family made their home northwest of Holdrege until his retirement. After retirement, Stan and Marty moved into Holdrege. The couple celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this past July.

Stanley was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, the Elks, the Holdrege County Club, Nebraska Corn Growers, and the Cattleman's Association. Stan was an avid private pilot and member of the Holdrege Flying Flintstones Club for many years. Sharing his love for flying with this son, Greg was a highlight of his life. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, skiing, photography, hunting and fishing. Stan loved taking the family to the lake for boating trips. He and Marty enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad with friends and family. Stanley will be remembered as a man of strong character that lived his life with minimum complexity as a quiet farmer, he was easy going and was always willing to lend a hand.

Besides his parents, Stanley was preceded in death by his son, Greg on November 11, 2001; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Phil and Fern Erickson; one brother, Stuart Carlson; and brother-in-law, Ron Brooks.

He is survived by his wife, Marty of Holdrege; son, Randal Carlson and his wife, Terri of Dixon, Illinois; two grandchildren: Spenser Carlson and Madeleine Carlson both of Dixon; two sisters: Elaine Exstrom and her husband, Bud of York, Nebraska and Susan Brooks of Lincoln; sisters-in-law: Annie Carlson of Palm Desert, California, LaDell Callahan and her husband, Jere of Gilbert, Arizona; brothers-in-law: Stanley Erickson and his wife, Janet of Holdrege and Harold Erickson and his wife, Judy of Johnson Lake; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory 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.