JOHN EVALD CARLSON

John Evald Carlson, 78, of Marquette, died Monday evening, March 2, 2015 at Cypress Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hancock after a 2 year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. John was born to Swedish immigrant parents, Albert and Helga (Johanson) Carlson on March 14, 1936 in St. Paul, MN. After graduating from St. Paul Johnson High School he joined the U.S. Army stationed in Stuttgart, Germany where, on his leaves, he was able to meet many of his relatives in Blekinge, Sweden. After being discharged in 1957, he began his education at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1962 and married Linda Ellefson in Willmar, MN that August. He was employed in sales and marketing with American Can Co. for the next 30 years moving his family to various places including New York City, Cincinnati, Newtown, CT and Naperville, IL. He then worked as a realtor for a few years until retiring to the beautiful U.P. on the Chocolay River. He enjoyed working out at the YMCA, splitting firewood, biking into town, canoeing, classical music and most of all he had a special knack for making whole grain breads to share with friends and neighbors. John loved his family, his church, Live...[more]

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e, Alzheimer's Café and his AA meetings for 38 years of continued sobriety. Survivors include his wife, Linda; their children, Reid (Maki) Carlson of San Francisco, CA, Andra (Kevin) Boudreau, of Naperville, IL, Rachel (Steve) Farrow of Oswego, IL; grandchildren, Grace & Trevor Boudreau, Adam, Naomi, Amanda, Charles & Justine Farrow, & Akira Carlson; also sisters-in law, Betty Carlson, Mary (John) Latham, Dikka (Jeff) Brummer and brother-in-law, Mark Ellefson. Preceding him in death besides his parents was a brother, Herb. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Messiah Lutheran Church with the Rev. David VanKley and the Rev. Amanda Kossow officiating. John's family will greet relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the service on April 2nd. A luncheon will immediately follow the service in Magnuson Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W. Magnetic St., Marquette, MI 49855, the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 309 S. Front St., Suite #233, Marquette, MI 49855 or to the YMCA of Marquette County, 1420 Pine St., Marquette, MI 49855. The family thanks Pastors Dave Van Kley and Amanda Kossow and the many dear friends who helped with John's final journey. The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com