Kenneth Carlson, 66 died Wednesday, July 08, 2009 on his family farm.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor George Davis officiating. Burial will follow at St. Hilaire Community Cemetery in St. Hilaire, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, July 10, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:00 AM until the time of the funeral on Saturday.

Kenneth Carl Carlson was born on April 11, 1943 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Walford and Verna Frances (Trochmann) Carlson. He was baptized and confirmed, and Kennys family attended the Norden Lutheran Church west of Thief River Falls. He attended Daisy Dale Country School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1961.

Kenny enjoyed working with his parents on the family farm and following high school, he moved to the Twin Cities where he worked for a short time. In 1964 Kenny entered into service with the Army National Guard. This service took him to Ft. Bragg, NC and while there he met the love of his life Faye Messerschmidt while riding on a Greyhound Bus. Their courtship consisted of two dates and lots of letters. They were united in marriage on July 9, 1966 at Winona Lake, Indiana and to this marriage three children were born, Kimberly, Timothy and Kelsey. Kenny adored his wife and would do anything for her, and was not truly happy unless Faye was at his side. He sadly passed away one day short of their 43rd anniversary.

They made their home on the Carlson family farm in Sanders Township, Pennington County, MN, which was homesteaded in 1888 by his grandfather, August Carlson, who emigrated from Sweden. Over the years, Kenny raised pigs, beef cattle, and milked dairy cows for many years. Kenny was very proud to work the land that had been in his family for so long, and looked forwarded to the day he could pass it on to his next generation. He also worked for Land-O-Lakes for 41 years, mostly as a truck driver, retiring in 2006. Over the years, he made many friends along his routes and touched many peoples lives.

Kenny enjoyed his annual trips to Rollag, MN, attending the county fair where he helped his kids show cattle and was active in 4-H. Kenny enjoyed visiting, animals, tinkering around the farm, collecting different things, stopping for coffee at any caf, and Kenny was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather. He lived for his family and would do anything for them. In later years, his grandchildren became the absolute joy of his life, and he became known to many folks as Grandpa Kenny. He made sure to let his family know how much he cared for them and he never took one day for granted. His passing will leave a void to great for words.

He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Thief River Falls, MN and was a proud member of the Teamsters.

Survivors include his loving wife, Faye of Thief River Falls; three children, Kimberly (Michael and his daughters, Melissa, Tara & Amber) Lockwood of Elbow Lake, MN, Timothy (Special Friend, Michelle Noreikis) of St. Hilaire, MN and Kelsey (Erik) Jensen of Goodridge, MN; six grandchildren, Kayla, Sindon & Spencer Special K Christenson, Christian Carlson (along with his mother, Paula Heskin), and Kendra (Kennys namesake) & Kansas Jensen; brother, Leonard (Ivadelle) Carlson of Salol, MN; sister, Delores (Harvey) Johnson of Minnetonka, MN; father-in-law, Edwin Messerschmidt of Tuscaloosa, AL; sister-in-law, Loretta Pullman of Campton, KY; two uncles; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, distant relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; mothers-in-law, Edna Earle Messerschmidt & Ruth Messerschmidt; Grandma Helen; and other relatives and friends.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Lowell & Lona Trochmann He Touched Me
PIANIST: Lenore Johnson
CD SELECTION: Daddys Hands
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: God On The Mountain , Children Of The Heavenly Father , Because He Lives & Mansion Over The Hilltop
PRAYER SERVICE SELECTIONS: Sweet Beulah Land , Hold Me While I Cry , and On A Cloud
CASKETBEARERS: Sindon Christensen, Kevin Carlson, Sheldon Carlson, Shannon Carlson, Dennis Possin, Ronald Gust, David Resch, Peter Churness