Warner V. Carlson

A Funeral Service for Warner V. Carlson be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastors David Carlson, Kevin Lund, and Murray Jones, officiating.  Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege.  If you would like to join the family in honoring Warner's memory and patriotic spirit, the family suggests wearing red, white, or blue.

Warner Vincent Carlson, 89 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025 after a ten-month battle with cancer. He drifted into the arms of Jesus to some of his favorite sounds: his family and football. Warner Carlson was born on January 20, 1936 in Holdrege. He was the third of five children born to Vincent and Marie (Linden) Carlson. Warner received his education from Loomis Public School, describing his school years as uneventful. He was grateful the school he attended was smaller so he could enjoy playing all the different sports, his passion for athletics carrying into his future career. Warner graduated from Loomis Public School and began working at the Loomis Farmers Co-op in May of 1954. By September of 1955, he decided to attend post-secondary education at Kearney State Teacher's College. He made a brief transfer to Luther Junior College and Academy during his sophomore year to pursue his passion of playing football, but returned to Kearney State Teacher's College the following year to complete his degree in history and physical education, graduating in May of 1959.

​     It was during his collegiate years, that he married his high-school sweetheart, Janice Hansen on August 16, 1958. Following Warner's first teaching and coaching positions, they made their home in Sutton, Nebraska. It was during their time in Sutton that they welcomed their two daughters, Linda and Beth. Warner described Sutton as a great place to live and teach, but God had other plans. A teaching opportunity became available in Holdrege, and he and Janice followed God's leading. Warner taught at Holdrege Public Schools from 1965 through May of 1996, coaching for many of those years as well. His love for history and sports was not only prominent in his role as an educator, but also prevalent in his personal life.

​     Warner was involved in the Kiwanis and Rotary Club (presiding as president from 2001-2002). He held roles on the Christian Homes Board and the Holdrege School Board (1996-2004). Warner was a huge proponent of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), a founder of the Holdrege chapter beginning in 1971, which he sponsored for many years. He and Janice attended Trinity Evangelical Church, where he served as chairman. He also helped with delivering Meals on Wheels. Of all his many pursuits, Warner found most satisfaction in work with the Phelps County Historical Society of which he held the office of president and worked tirelessly to honor area veterans, recording their stories, making great efforts to give them a voice and acknowledge their service. He led the inception of the Veteran's Day Program at the Nebraska Prairie Museum and was an integral part of its continuity year after year.

Additionally, he went to great lengths to honor athletes and coaches in Phelps County through the Sports Wall of Honor. Gideon's International, was also an organization that gave him a great sense of fulfillment; one he served with for 40 plus years. He enjoyed speaking with the many area churches, sharing how Christ had changed lives through the Gideon organization, as well as handing out the New Testaments to schools and colleges in the area.

​     Warner was a patriot, a family man, and a man of deep faith. Three identities that were in no way separate for him, making up the core of who he was. His love of country ran deep, his pride in America a badge of honor, an ideal that he had instilled in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; all of whom were of the utmost value to him. He was often found coaching the activities of his daughters in their youth and attending the activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, from sports to the arts, rarely missing an event. He cherished moments with family gathered around the dining table, whether to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or holiday, or to just share a meal. He loved opportunities to huddle around the TV, catching the latest sporting event–Husker football or volleyball and Cardinal baseball were favorites. Above all, Warner revered God; his relationship with Jesus intrinsic to who he was. It is his deep faith that he leaves as a legacy for his family; his greatest accomplishment.

Warner was preceded in death by his father, Vincent Carlson and his mother, Marie (Linden) Carlson; siblings: Wayne Carlson and Dorothy Marie Carlson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernest and Esther Hansen; brother-in-law, Donald Hansen; two sisters-in-law, Opal Hansen and Bette Carlson, and grandson, Noah Paul Jensen.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Janice Carlson of Holdrege; his children: two daughters, Linda (Carlson) Jensen and her husband, Dan and Beth (Carlson) Larson and her husband, Brad all of Holdrege; six grandchildren: Kit (Brett) Mentzer, Hannah (Brice) Steen, Jonathan (Claire) Larson, Kirsten (Sean) Pasieta, Linnea (Brandon) Pugh, and Matthew Jensen; ten great-grandchildren: Parker, Piper, Fletcher, Graham, Margaret, Eleanor, Norman, Louise, Sullivan, and Corrine; his brother, John Carlson and his wife, Valene of Lincoln; his sister, Joanne Carlson of Wellington, Colorado; his brother-in-law, Dean and his wife, Shirley of Rockford, Illinois; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Memorials in Warner's honor are kindly suggested to The Gideon's International.

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.