James Peter Carlson

James P. Carlson, 79, of Grand Forks, passed away at his home after a long battle with Cancer on Tuesday February 1, 2011, surrounded by family and his favorite Hospice Nurse. James Peter Carlson was born October 23, 1931 in St. Paul Minnesota. He grew up in St. Paul with 8 siblings, Jean, Jeraldine, John, Joyce, Janet, Judy, Jeff and Julie. He graduated from Central High School, St. Paul and Macalester College at St. Paul with a degree in Business. Jim served in the United States Marine Corp. for three years. He married Mari Fish on May 28, 1960 in St. Paul. They moved to Grand Forks in 1972. Jim owned and operated A&H Vending Company until he retired in 1998. Jim and Mari were married for 40 years until her death in June of 2000 and have four children. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and two sisters. Jim is survived by sons, Jim Jr.(Bridget) and Walter, daughter Mary Simonson (Arch), all of Grand Forks, and son Peter (Kari) of Bemidji MN; seven grandchildren, Dane, Morgan, Alex and Johnny Simonson, Taylor Powers, Nicholas and Natalie Carlson; and special friend, Toni Mimay. Memorial Service: will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 4, 2011 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 S. 9th St., Grand Forks. In lieu of flowers: please send memorials to Calvary Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Red River Valley.