Melinda Carlson

Melinda Adeline Carlson, age 91, Fergus Falls, formerly of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Sunday, April 16, 2017 at Broen Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.Melinda Adeline Westby was born on June 27, 1925 in Gilby, North Dakota the daughter of Carl and Selma (Hegrenes) Westby. She was baptized at Thief River Falls, Minnesota. When Melinda was three, the family moved to Pelican Rapids where they farmed. She attended rural school District 156S and was confirmed at Central Lutheran Church. In 1943 she graduated from Pelican Rapids High School and then attended teacher's training in Fergus Falls. She also attended classes at Moorhead State and Bemidji State College. Melinda then taught in various rural schools in Otter Tail County. She also worked in the office of Pelican Valley Hospital.On April 4, 1954 she married Harold Carlson at Central Lutheran Church near rural Pelican Rapids. The couple resided at rural Pelican Rapids and Melinda worked at the Hohman Telephone Company as a clerk. They farmed from 1946 and continued until 1987 when he retired. The couple moved to Pelican Rapids in 1994.She was a member of Central Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, sang in the choir, was W.E.L.C.A officer and also financial secretary and Luther League counselor. She was a 4H leader, a Lamp Lighter for Aid Association for Lutherans (Thrivent), served on the School of Faith Committee and volunteered at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home and the Pelican Rapids Library.Melinda enjoyed gardening, reading, bible studies, music, crocheting, traveling, and writing and receiving greeting cards.Preceding her in death were her husband, Harold, her parents; sister, Lorraine Knutson; brother, Ordean and son-in-law, Mark Friesz.Her family includes three children, Naomi Friesz, of Bismarck, Timothy (Rae) of East Moline, Illinois and Patty Carlson of St. Paul; grandchildren: Jason (Kayla) Friesz, Matthew Friesz, Ryan Carlson, Lane Carlson and Alexandra Benzon; two great-grandsons: Ethan and Walt Friesz; sisters: Inez (LeRoy) Johnson of Sheridan Wyoming and Ann Westby of Minneapolis; sister-in-law Audrey Westby of Pelican Rapids; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Visitation: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Central Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.Clergy: Pastor Phillip TobinBurial: Central Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Pelican Rapids, MinnesotaPlease keep Melinda's family in your thoughts and prayers.Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home 304 3rd Street S.E. Pelican Rapids, MN US 56572 Melinda Carlson Memorial Folder