MERLIN CARLSON
October 08, 1936 - November 12, 2021
Obituary
Merlin Carlson, age 85, passed away Friday, November 12, 2021. He was born October 8, 1936, to John and Beda Carlson, of Swea City, IA. This photo is from his 85th birthday party.
Merlin married Doris Elaine Ditsworth, on February 1, 1970, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Swea City, IA. They were married for 37 years before she passed of cancer in November of 2006. He served in the National Guard for two years, ending in 1951. The war ended and he didn't have to leave the US. He often talked about his training and how hard it was.
Merlin met Arl Brooks on the dance floor at Fiesta Village, Mission, TX, on February 3, 2010. They were married February 5, 2011, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, McAllen, TX, to the beat of a polka wedding service. Merlin was very proud of that service and mentioned it often.
Merlin started trekking to W & I Resort Park, in Mission, TX, January of 1980, marking 40 years of being a Winter Texan, last season. The annual trip continued after his marriage along with their 3 cats, Blackie, Shadow and Kiki. Marlin and Arl travelled in the RV to Canada, Alaska, Washington, California and made yearly November trips to Mission, TX, returning late May to the farm in Swea City, IA, and his beloved tractor collection. The first weekend in August the last two years was enjoyed by the Paulson family of 20 or more, bringing their tents and campers, when Merlin would get his tractors out and form a parade, riding to Burt Lake and back. Then, there was the shooting of clay pigeons over the corn field, with everyone taking their turn. Give Merlin a gun, and he knew how to use it. Great memories were made. Merlin was a very special dad to my kids and grandkids; they loved him as he loved them.
His favorite sayings: I didn't do too bad for an old flunkie; I only got a mile and a half down the road; needs and wants are two different things; I'd like to pay him what he thinks he's worth and sell him for less.
The plan to go to Texas on October 31st did not happen as Merlin began coughing. The cough continued until he was taken to Theda Clark Hospital on Nov. 6th, where he passed away from COVID on the 12th.
Survivors include his wife of almost 11 years, Arl Carlson; her children: Randy (Vickie) Paulson, Oshkosh, Kenn (Ellen Austreng) Paulson, Appleton, Scott (Donna) Paulson, Winston, GA, Cindy Paulson (Aaron) Klockzien, Larsen, Todd (Jennifer Neibauer) Paulson, Larsen; Arl's brother, Walter (Sheryl Fredin) Schmid, Van Dyne, WI; Sisters: Margery (Clay) Werner, Oshkosh, Janice (LeRoy) Heller, Winneconne; 14 step-grandchildren; 28 step- great-grandchildren; and 17 step-great-great-grandchildren.
Merlin will be missed by those he loved to pick on and had special names for them like Pickles and Charlie, my little buddy, of which he had several. Blackie was a favorite cat who slept with him by his side. He disappeared on July 27th. A neighbor 4 miles away called 3 ½ months later and said he found Blackie in his shed. I couldn't wait to call Merlin and tell him. He was so happy that Blackie was found. Merlin died the next day and his last words were; “Get Blackie home.” Shadow will miss sleeping on his lap, waiting for Merlin to put the leg rest out. Kiki loved to be held by him. Merlin will be missed very much by his travelling companion, Arl, as he drove her to all her eye appointments in Rochester, MN. I will miss my driver who took me everywhere I had to be.
Survivors of Merlin's family are his twin sister, Marlene Thorson, Spencer, IA; sister, Betty Martin, Chewelah, WA; his step-daughters: Deanne (Jason) Brace, Lone Rock, IA, Kim (Chuck) Wollner Wisconsin Dells; their children: Aaron (Amy) Brace, Amber (Zac) VanDerSchaegen, Zeb (Tiffany) Wollner, and Sara (Omar) Rodriguez; along with five great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 6:30PM on Monday, Nov 15, 2021, at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 4:00PM until the hour of service. PLEASE WEAR A MASK.
The family would like to thank the staff of Theda Clark in their Covid area, for all their care of Merlin. Following CDC guidelines, they could not save him.