Harold Stanley Carlson

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/k0TSaYZ4h18 

Harold Stanley Carlson, 101, loving father and grandfather, died November 15th at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks from a pulmonary embolus.

Harold Carlson was born November 28th, 1918 in rural Antler, North Dakota, to Tennis and Gelina Carlson. Born during the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic, he was one of nine siblings growing up on a farm in northwestern North Dakota during the trials of the Great Depression. Upon graduation from high school in 1937, Harold enrolled at Minot State Teachers College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree four years later. It was at college that he met the love of his life, Bernice Christianson. As he described her, “she was the most wonderful woman in the world.” They were married on June 12th, 1942, and spent their honeymoon in the newly completed Mount Rushmore area of the Black Hills.

Harold and Bernice lived in Glenburn, North Dakota for most of the 1940s where Harold was the superintendent of schools. He was also a Boy Scout Master, band leader, basketball coach, and theater director. During the time in Glenburn, children, Nancy, Gary, and Pam, were born.

Harold and the family moved to Grand Forks in 1954 where their family grew to include Keith. Harold attended the University of North Dakota and earned two Master’s degrees in both School Administration, and Guidance and Counseling. Harold taught at Central High School and Valley Junior High School, until becoming a guidance counselor at Elroy Schroeder Junior High School in 1961. After 43 years in education, he retired in 1984 and served on the Grand Forks School Board for two terms. Even in the decades following his retirement, former students would stop him in public to say how much they enjoyed having him as a teacher. It was clear that his influence on the community was long-lasting.

Harold was a Renaissance Man, having a wide variety of skills under his belt. Aside from being an inspiring educator, he was also a craftsman. The majority of the buildings at the University were painted by Harold. As a self-taught, licensed watchmaker and patent holder, there wasn’t a watch or clock he couldn’t fix. Nor was there a car engine or other mechanical device that he could not decipher its workings and repair. If he didn’t know how to make a necessary part or adjustment, he went to the Chester Fritz library and learned the craft himself.

The greatest knowledge that Harold possessed though, was his knowledge of and certain hope found in Jesus Christ. All earthly knowledge crumbles without the foundation of Christ. As the oldest member of Grace Baptist Church, Harold served in many capacities, including deacon, Sunday school teacher, and trustee. His skills as a Christian educator enriched many lives with the fundamental truths of the Gospel.

As a husband, father, and grandfather, his kindness, wisdom, and wit were beloved by his family. Harold was preceded in death by his parents Tennis and Gelina, his wife Bernice, and his siblings Ernest Carlson, Gladys Hofland, Hartley Carlson, Maybelle Carlson, Vernon Carlson, Lyla Elefson, and Vivian Adams. He is survived by his brother Lester Carlson, four children: Nancy (Ron) Halvorson of Moorhead, Gary Carlson of Rapid City, Pam (Ed) Carlson of Grand Forks, and Keith (Charlotte) Carlson of Eagan, eight grandchildren: Jennifer (Peter) Willging, Susan (Mickey) Hanson, Laura (Scott) Schirber, Sara (Mick Dahlberg) Halvorson, Christine (Seth) Kruse, David (Cecile) Carlson, Rebecca Carlson, and Elizabeth Carlson, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Harold loved Jesus, loved his wife, loved his family, and loved his students, neighbors and friends. There is rejoicing in Heaven; but sorrow, for a short time, here on Earth.

“He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

**A memorial service for Harold will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Grace Baptist Church in Grand Forks with visitation from 10-11am at the church prior to the service.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private interment service was held at Memorial Park North in Grand Forks. 

***You may view the graveside service from this link: https://youtu.be/JH14Zeg9bfo