Vinston "Vinny" D. Carlson

Funeral Services for Vinston "Vinny" D. Carlson will be conducted from the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church, northwest of Holdrege, Nebraska on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Dick Houser, officiating. Interment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska.

Vinston "Vinny" D. Carlson, 94 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Vinny was born on March 13, 1916, north of Holdrege in Phelps County, the eldest of two sons born to John and Jennie (Johnson) Carlson. He received his primary education north of Holdrege in a rural school and then graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1934. He worked on the Tri County Irrigation project while living in Elwood, Nebraska in the late 1930's.

On September 8, 1939 he was united in marriage to Harriet R. Nelson at the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church. Soon after the wedding the couple moved to the old "Camlin" place, fifteen miles north of Holdrege, near Elm Creek, and began farming. To their marriage two sons were born: Nelson T. "Tom" and Terry. In 1984, they retired from active farming and moved to Holdrege, where Vinny resided until his death. On September 5, 2000, he was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet.

Vinny was a long time member of the Holcomb Church, where he served as usher for over 50 years. He also had served as church chairman. He loved baseball and softball and was a good third baseman for many years. One of his claims to fame was getting a base hit off of "Satchel Paige" who traveled with and pitched for the Kansas City Monarchs. Later on he enjoyed fishing and boating at Johnson Lake and last water skied at the age of 80. He also enjoyed playing golf.

He was active many years as a member of the ASCS (Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service) board, was on the Moses Hill Cemetery board as well as the Christian Homes board, where he served as President for several years. He also enjoyed membership in the Holdrege Kiwanis Club and served as President for that organization as well.

He was an avid Nebraska football fan even traveling with his wife, Harriet to watch the Cornhuskers play in Hawaii. As a couple they enjoyed traveling to parts of Europe and especially enjoyed a trip to Sweden, the home of their ancestors. They traveled all around the United States as well.

He leaves to mourn his passing his two sons: Tom Carlson and his wife, Margo, and Terry Carlson all of Holdrege; three grandchildren: Dr. Chad Carlson and his wife, Amanda of Urbandale, Iowa, Erin Carlson of Chicago, Illinois and Nathan Carlson of Holdrege. He especially loved his three great-grandchildren: Ian, Ava and Eli Carlson. Additional survivors include a brother-in-law, LeRoy Nelson and his wife, Shirley of Beaumont, California, brother-in-law, Don Rodine of Beaverton, Oregon and sister-in-law, Dora Lee Carlson of Holdrege; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides his wife, Harriet and his parents, Vinny was preceded in death by his brother, Vernon "Pat" Carlson and his wife, Myrene, sister-in-law, Marge Cissell and her husband, Chuck, and sister-in-law, Delores Rodine.

Mr. Carlson will lie in state at the Holcomb Church on Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church, Christian Homes Care Community or to the Asera Care Hospice in Kearney.

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.