D. Kenneth Carlson, age 77, of Isanti died unexpectedly March 12, 2013 at Cambridge Medical Center. Ken owned Carlson’s Roll Off Service. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Elim Baptist Church in Isanti with Rev. Roger Olson officiating. A time of visiting will be held from Noon until the service at 2 P.M. at the church.
Kenneth Carlson was born October 20, 1935 in Amery, Wisconsin to Axel and Ingrid (Sandberg) Carlson. He attended elementary school in Volga and high school in Amery, graduating in the Class of 1954. On
December 15, 1956, Ken married Bonnielu Mattson at Elim Baptist Church in Isanti and made their first home in Amery, Wisconsin. In 1957, Ken and Bonnielu moved to Isanti where he had continued to reside. Ken was first employed by Westman Silo Company in Lindstrom, later working as a plumber for Wick Hardware Store, located in Isanti. Ken would then go on to be employed as a carpenter for Paul Mattson & Sons of Isanti, followed by a position at Wyatt Ready Mix in Spring Lake Park. Ken decided to strike out on his own in the early 60’s and started Ken Carlson’s Disposal, which he later expanded by offering roll-off dumpsters as well. In the mid 90’s, Ken sold the rubbish removal business, but continued the day-to-day operation of Ken Carlson’s Roll-Off Service. Ken was active in the community and served as the Treasurer of the Isanti Volunteer Fire Department in the past. His hobbies included street rods, motorcycles and collecting vintage tire ashtrays. He will be deeply missed by his family and a host of friends.
Besides his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnielu; 4 sisters and 2 brothers. He is survived by 4 children; Barbara (Allen) Butcher of Isanti, Paulette (Larry) Gehrke of Isanti, Julie (Doug) Hines of Isanti, Timothy (Serena) Carlson of San Jose, California; 11 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; Phil Simon of Cambridge; and by many other relatives and friends.
The staff at the Creamery all have broken hearts today with the passing of Ken. We will sure miss his laugh and good nature. He always had such a good time visiting with his friends at table 10. It was great that he won the 6-5-4 dollar jackppot the morning on the day he passed away. He always had a good time playing each morning. I will have to now find somebody else to shovel the sidewalk. We have great memories of Ken as we know you do as well. We send our strength to all his family and friends during this difficult time.
Isanti has lost a great resident and the business community a very honest hard working man. Prayers to Ken’s family.
May the wonderful memories of your Dad be with you always.
We will miss his good stories about his cars!
God Comforts
Dear Family of Ken Carlson: I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to you all. Ken was a childhood friend as I would visit the farm of his sister and brother-in-law (Margaret and Clifford Carlson) in Amery, WI. Ken would sometimes be there helping out thrashing, etc. He was always such a good natured friend. My prayers go out to you all.
Charlene Tolzmann Jennings
(Daughter of Leonard and Irene Tolzmann)
There is something about a person’s character, when they treat a “salesperson” with respect and dignity. When I worked at the Cambridge Star as an advertising rep in the mid 90’s, Bonnie and Ken would always give me time to share the latest promotion, and many times they would contribute to my cause. Decades later, I would see them around town, and Bonnie and Ken would still remember me, because that is the kind of people they were. They brought you into their world and treated you like a friend – no family. I will miss Ken, but he is with other family members now and how can that be bad?
To the family and friends that are left behind to grieve, I ask that you try to find comfort in the fact that Ken touched MANY lives and will be missed very much. His mailbox – shaped like a garbage truck, showed everyone who passed by or visited that he was very proud to serve this community.
Debbie Bray
We moved to Isanti (Bradford) when I was eleven. Ken did our garbage service. He always had more time to be a friend and have a cup of coffee with my parents than to keep hustling on his route, an instant friend. I also bowled with Ken for all of my adult life, and shared a lot of fun stories and many smiles. He will be a fond memory for us and a smile In my mind forever. Our family sends our love, and prayers to Ken’s family. Bless you all.
The Chinnock family
I’m sorry to say I was out of town for an aunt’s funeral last week and sadly, missed the news about Ken’s passing. I have such wonderful memories from my childhood at the Oak Grove Motel when Ken would swing by our place; all of the kids would drop what they were doing to run down and say hi to him. He graciously took the time to visit with us, always with a warm smile, making us ‘pesky kids’ feel valued. =) I’m so thankful for the long-time acquaintances, like Ken, that really make up the wonderful heart and character of a small town. Jeff and I send our condolences to you all.