Jonathon Dennis Carlson was born in Crandon, Wisconsin, June 16,1949, to Ivan and Florence Carlson. He died April 23rd, 2014 at home in Thief River Falls,MN. Jon was the 6th child, arriving after 4 brothers and a sister. Jon was 3 years old when his parents left home mission work to serve a country church in Wallace,Michigan. Jon and his siblings enjoyed country life including the cow and chickens. Another brother and then a sister were added to the family. Jon's school career began when the family moved to Wolverton, MN. He began living up to his middle name, Dennis, (Dennis the Menace). One day in first grade, his teacher couldn't find him. After searching high and low, he was located in the high school on top of a desk, performing for a group of kids. Moving time came again and this time the family moved to Watertown,MN Jon loved sports and though coordination issues kept him from playing, he enjoyed being part of the teams, as the manager and honorary captain in basketball and baseball, earning a letter jacket in the process. After graduating from high school in Watertown, the family moved to Thief River Falls. Jon took several classes at Northland community college and began working at Artic Cat., where he remained for almost 30 years. Jon loved Thief River Falls and bragged about his town to anyone who would listen. He followed all the school teams and enjoyed going to the games whenever possible. Never shy, Jon introduced himself to anyone and everyone. He was cheerful and genuinely liked people, interested in who they were and what they were all about. Joke telling was something he relished and he and his dad told each other jokes all the time laughing before they could finish them. Traveling to Isreal with his dad was a highlight in Jon's life. He studied up before they went and was a walking encyclopedia of information. Even the tour guide asked Jon to answer what he didn't know. Jon was gifted with a photographic memory for things he was interested in, anything from history, geography, the animal kingdom, to sports. At holidays it was a tradition to try and stump Jon. That was a rare occurrence. In his younger days Jon used his good bass voice to enhance school and church choirs, as well as a men's barbershop chorus. He would have enjoyed being a sports announcer, practicing his technique on his own sound equipment. At one time, Jon was a pretty good golfer. A hole in one put his picture in the paper. The Evangelical Free Church meant a great deal to Jon. He always spoke highly of his church family. There are boxes of notebooks filled with his pastor's sermons. When he had been able to, he helped with shoveling, ushering, taking the offering, and, in more recent years, folding bulletins. As Jon's health deteriorated and mobility decreased, he became a tremendous phone caller. He made contact with family and friends frequently and often prayed with and for them. He believed "That the prayers of a righteous man availeth much." and could be counted on for a birthday phone call even if everyone else forgot. He was an expert at puzzles and very artistic. Calligraphy was a favorite, as well as elaborate drawings of various buildings vividly colored. Jon will be dearly missed by his mother, Florence Carlson of Pine River,MN, and his brother Jim Carlson (JoAnn) of Minnetonka,MN, brother Daniel Carlson (LeeAnn) of Longville,MN, brother Timothy Carlson (Carol) of Snohomish,WA, sister Corelie Carlson of Longville, brother Joel (Donna) Carlson of Wabasha,MN, and sister Roselyn Riffle (Jay) of Longville,MN. He was preceded in death by his brother David Carlson and his father Ivan Carlson. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will be held at Longville, MN on the Carlson family plot.