Douglas, WY - Carl W. "Sonny" Carlson, 62, died Sunday, March 23, 1997 at his home of a sudden illness. Arrangements were with Converse Funeral Home of Douglas, WY.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 27 at Converse Funeral Chapel with Rev. Gary Stearns officiating. There will be a memorial service at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church on April 5 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Randy Moe officiating.
Honorary casketbearers were Gary Stearns, Joey Price, Dale Moore, Curtis Meinzer, Claude Kelley, Leonard Livingston, Dennis Woratschka and all of his many other friends.
Carl was born February 14, 1935 in Thief River Falls, the son of Godfrey and Mildred (Sale) Carlson. He was raised and attended school in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School. Following graduation he entered the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean conflict. He returned to Thief River Falls after being discharged, and worked as a truck driver and for construction companies in 1959. He moved to Douglas, WY in 1979 and continued working in the construction business and was a cowboy. In 1985 he received a contract as a rural mail carrier and he managed the Four Winds Motel. At the time of his death he was still involved with the United States Postal Services and was a hunting and fishing guide throughout Wyoming.
He was involved with the Helluva Hunt since 1985 and was a member of the Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8, both in Douglas.
He is survived by children Jody (Ryan) Bakke and Shaun (Becky) Carlson, all of Thief River Falls; sisters Carol Suronen of Thief River Falls, Katie Lewandowski of Minneapolis, and Susie Larson of Thief River Falls; brother Billy Carlson of Tucson, AZ; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and son Trent Carlson.