Eugene Elmer Carlson, 96, of Jordan, passed away at home on November 15, 2023. A Christian Funeral will be held for Eugene on November 20, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Jordan ( 100 Sixth St. W) at 11:00 AM with Pastor Jeremy Glowicki Presiding. Prior to the service, there will be a time of visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Eugene will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery following the service.
Eugene was born on January 21, 1927 in St. Lawrence Township, in Scott County Minnesota to Swedish Immigrants Joseph and Sadie (nee Erickson). Eugene was the youngest and last living descendant of his parents. Eugene was baptized on October 30, 1927 and confirmed on Palm Sunday 1943 by Reverend L.F. Brandes. He was united in marriage on July 7, 1956 to Ruth Dorothea Bohnsak at St. Paul Lutheran in Jordan, MN.
Eugene was known as “Jim” from a young age. The family farm that he grew up in was where he created his love for adventure. He had wonderful memories of jumping from building to building, swinging in the hay loft and playing touch football with his friends and relatives. Jim attended the White Schoolhouse, located on the corner of the oak farm, through the 5th grade. He then attended the Jordan Public grade school and later graduated from Jordan High School. Jim had wonderful memories during those years as he played football for the Jordan Hubmen. His most memorable game was during his sophomore year when the team took first place in the district championship.
Jim had a passion for hunting, fishing, birding, gardening and photography. Many of his interests came at an early age from his father Joseph and mother Sadie. During the 1940’s the family took several fishing and hunting trips to Eagle River in Northwest Ontario, Canada. Several months after his last Canadian trip, his father, Joseph, died of a heart attack. During that time, Jim lived with his mother Sadie and shared many of her interests including gardening and her love of flowers. Jim often took his mother to exhibits at the Como Park Conservatory, Dayton’s annual eighth-floor auditorium flower show, and numerous trips to the mum gardens in Faribault Minnesota. They also took trips near Duluth for blueberry picking with his brother Walter. In order to capture the beauty of his love of family and nature Jim became interested in photography. He captured many lovely moments of his mother, wife, family, friends and the building of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church via 8 mm film. Jim documented several family trips throughout the West Coast with his 8 mm movie camera and then started producing slide films with his 35 mm camera. He later began focusing his lens on the beauty of nature, specifically birds and flowers.
Jim loved the outdoors. In his younger years he often hunted pheasant, grouse and duck with his brothers and relatives. He later enjoyed bow hunting with his friends and often hunted with his brother Walter and Reverend Verne Voss. Jim also had an interest in bluebirds. He was a member and participated in the Minnesota Bluebird Recovery Program for 40 years up until 2006. Jim built, posted and cared for nearly 100 bluebird houses in various locations in the county. As part of the program he kept a bi-weekly record of these houses and was very successful in contributing to their rise in population. Jim also loved all birds but had a special fondness for cardinals, Baltimore orioles and hummingbirds. He was often seen sitting in his backyard trying to capture a picture of their magnificent beauty.
After graduating from Jordan High School Jim briefly worked at the Jordan Brewery. Shortly thereafter, they closed their operations. He then became employed by NSP, now known as Xcel Energy, at the local branch in Jordan, Minnesota. He continued his employment for 41 years as a Lineman and a Troubleshooter until his retirement in 1989
Since Jim’s retirement, he and Ruth enjoyed several trips with his daughter Susan, son in law Alan, and their grandchildren. Jim and Ruth also fished on Lake Michigan with children David, Lori, and grandchildren Christine and Stephanie. Jim continued to pursue his interest in gardening, birding, and photography. On July 7, 2006, Jim and Ruth celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Most importantly, Jim was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and remained a strong Christian until his passing on November 15, 2023.
Jim is survived by his children, Susan (Alan) Meilach, David (Donna) Carlson, Lori (Michael) Carlson-Smith; grandchildren, Christine and Stephanie Meilach; great grandchildren, Isabella, Odysseus, and Landon; and many other loving nieces and nephews. Jim is reunited in heaven with his wife of over 50 years, Ruth Carlson; parents, Joseph and Sadie Carlson; siblings, Melvin (Hilda) Carlson, Alice (Alfred) Peters, Herbert (Madeline) Carlson, Walter (Gladys Wilson) Carlson.
