Raymond Curtis Carlson

Raymond “Dusty” Carlson, 80, of Portland, ND, died Sunday, October 5, 2008, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND. Raymond Curtis Carlson was born in Clifford, ND on July 2, 1928 to Ludvig and Agnes (Bjerke) Carlson. He grew up on a farm near Clifford and graduated from Mayville High School in 1947. He attended Mayville State and Interstate Business College. Raymond married Mavis Corrine Strand on October 24, 1948 at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland. He worked on the Strand farm, Portland Creamery and Haugum Hardware before starting at the Portland Elevator in 1958. He retired in 1990. Dusty was a member of the Eagles Club, Portland Volunteer Fire Department and the Snowmobile Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching basketball, baseball and football. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Dusty loved spending time with family and friends, especially at the lake. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Dusty is survived by his son, Ron (Claudette) of Minnewaukan, ND; two daughters, Joan (Russ) Mueller of Maple Grove, MN and Debbie (Frank) Wells of Maplewood, MN; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Jamie) Taylor, Ryan (Jill) Carlson, Joanna (Patrick) Hart, Matthew Mueller, Michael (Emily) Mueller, Christopher Mueller and Jessica Mueller; eight great-grandchildren, Anika, Austin, Bridger and Cierra Carlson, Jaden and Braden Taylor, Sophia Hart, and Benjamin Mueller; two brothers, Vernon (Alice) of Cando, ND and Mervin (Elva) of Mayville; three sisters, Deloris Olson of Fargo, ND, Eline Paulson of Temple City, CA and Joyce Beck of Fargo; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mavis in 1996, his parents, and brothers, Arvid, Odell and Almer. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 9, 2008 from 4-8 PM at Baker Funeral Home in Mayville, ND and for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Funeral Services will be held at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland on Friday, October 10, 2008, at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at Aurdal Lutheran Church Cemetery, Portland, ND.