Cover photo for Courtney E. Carlson's Obituary
Courtney E. Carlson Profile Photo
1922 Courtney 2007

Courtney E. Carlson

December 28, 1922 — August 24, 2007

Courtney was born to Carl and Ellen Swenson Carlson on December 28, 1922, on the family farm in Manitoba Junction, Hawley, Minnesota. He grew up, attended school and graduated from Hawley High School. From a little boy to manhood, he lived and farmed the land which his great-grandfather homesteaded in 1890. For most of his adult life, he slept in the same bedroom he was born in. On July 16, 1944, he was united in marriage to Lillian "Tootsie" Johnson in Ulen, Minnesota. They have four children: Susan, Charles, Deborah and Jeffrey. He was a member of the U.S. Navy serving in the Philippines in World War II. Courtney was an advocate for children and education. He was very active in the school and served on the School Board from 1964 to 1989, of which sixteen years he was chairman. He was the recipient of many awards including: Minnesota School Board Association Outstanding School Board Member in 1977; Clay County Vocational Governing Board, 1972-1987; and the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association Award in 1980. He was a member of Hawley Lutheran Church and served on several committees, the Church Council and taught Sunday school. He was a Charter Member of the Hawley Lions and received the Hawley Jaycee's Distinguished Service Award, 1977-1978. Courtney loved sports from the Hawley Hawks and Ulen Arrows to the Hawley Nuggets, Frazee Hornets, Minnesota Twins, Vikings, NDSU Bison Football and Concordia Basketball. Courtney and Tootsie spent many hours watching their Grandchildren participate in sports. Probably one of the most cherished awards he received was the Hawley Nuggets Fan of the Year Award.Courtney leaves a legacy of strong faith and belief in the enduring values of honesty, hard work, and dedication to one's family and community. His family believes he was not only the best but the true champion of being a Dad, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He was always genuinely interested in everyone he met and a hero to many.Courtney is survived by: his children – Susan Dale Rux, Frazee, MN; Charles Vickie Carlson, Deborah Galen Andvik, Jeffrey Julie Carlson all from Hawley; his grandchildren — Michael Sandy and Chad Trisha Rux; Nicholas and Katie Andvik; Christopher Laura, Jedediah Nicole, Amanda, Justin, Joshua and Andrew Carlson; his great-grandchildren — Sabrina, Shawn, Logan, Abigail, Kaitlyn, Ryan, Lane, and Emma Rux; his sisters and families — Doris Barankiewicz, Casper, Wyoming; Beverly Daniel Mjolsness; and Yvonne Ronald Massen, Brodhead, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian "Tootsie", twin daughters, Paulette and her sister, and his parents, Carl and Ellen.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Hawley Lutheran Church

510 8th St, Hawley, MN 56549

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Service

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Hawley Lutheran Church

510 8th St, Hawley, MN 56549

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