Merlin Orville Carlson 81, of Plummer, MN died on Sunday February 19, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday February 22, 2012 at 11:00 AM in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer with Reverend Jonathan Dodson Officiating. Burial will be held in the Emardville Cemetery near Plummer. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5 - 8 PM with a 7:00 Prayer service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer and also one hour prior to services a the church on Wednesday. Merlin Orville Carlson was born April 30, 1930 at his home in Gervais Township, Red Lake County, MN son of the late Carl and Eda (Arlt) Carlson. He was baptized and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plummer. He attended rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from High School in Plummer in 1947 as salutatorian. He drove school bus, farmed and milked cows. On February 6, 1959 Merlin was united in marriage to Judy Steitz at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. Merlin worked at the Plummer Creamery and Fleet in Thief River Falls for 20 years until his retirement in 1995. He had fond memories of hunting skunk with his brother, raised roses and cherry trees, liked music and sang with the Christian Fellowship Singers for many years. He played guitar and sang with the neighbors. He enjoyed high school sports and served on the school board and was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran church serving on the church council. Hi is survived by his wife Judy of Red Lake Falls, MN; sons Dale (Lisa) Carlson of Owatonna, MN and Roger (Connie) Carlson of Red Lake Falls, MN; grandchildren Stefanie (Toby) Kongslie, Bethany (Jordon) LeDune, Dan Carlson, Andrew Carlson, Alyssa Carlson and Madison Carlson; great grandchildren Olivia Kongslie Klaira Kongslie, Braden Hipp and Adalynn LeDune. Sister Jane (Gerry) Robins of Pine City, MN; Brother-in-law Warren Willenburg of Louisville, TX: sisters-in-law Margaret (Frank) Ehling of Red Lake Falls, MN and Cathy (John) Hilley of Buxton, ND along with many nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Anita Carlson, sister Violet Willenburg, brother Burton Carlson, mother and father in law, brother-in-law Robert and sister-in-law Joyce Carlson. ORGANIST: Betty Johnson SPECIAL MUSIC: Dan and Andrew Carlson "I Can Only Imagine" VIOLIN: Andrew Carlson "Amazing Grace" and "Ashokan Farewell" CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: "It Is Well With My Soul" "Because He Lives" CASKET BEARERS: Dean Koskela, Lowell Arlt, Wes Myhre, Clayton Larson, David Ulrich, Jim Hagge