George Carlson

George Henry Carlson, 92, formerly of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, passed away from natural causes on January 16, 2025, in Janesville, MN. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he will be remembered for his selflessness and generosity, life of service, and storytelling.

George was born on June 9, 1932, in Cambridge, MN to Herman and Nora Carlson. He grew up on a farm near Cambridge with his two sisters, Burdell and Victoria, and a brother, Ted. He often spoke fondly about life on the farm, walking to school across the frozen swamp in the winter, and fishing in the nearby river.

After high school, George was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years in Korea during that war. He remained lifelong friends with his army buddies Bill Billett and Gene Dixon. Following the war, he returned home and attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering. 

While at the “U”, George met his wife, Lois Andersen. During college, for summer jobs, George headed west to work on farms in Eastern Washington and Plentywood, Montana, while Lois worked at St. Mary’s Lodge in Glacier National Park. George and Lois married in 1957, a marriage that lasted over 62 years and yielded two daughters.

George enjoyed a long career with the U.S. Geological Survey as a hydrologist working on stream gaging and flood forecasting. Many family camping trips included stops at stream gage sites across Minnesota. His girls wondered what was so interesting about a measuring stick on the bank of the river.

George was a handyman extraordinaire – there was nothing he couldn’t build or fix. He put his talents to good use maintaining the facilities at his church, United Methodist Church camps and Camp Fire, Inc. camps. He liked to cut down trees, and there was no tree too big for him to go after if it needed to come down. George was a great help to his daughters with their home improvement projects. He was always willing to help his family and friends with projects when asked.

In retirement, George reconnected with his “inner farmer” and took up vegetable gardening. He especially loved to grow tomatoes and amaryllis flowers. He also got interested in the stock market, researching stocks and monitoring his portfolio. George liked to read and listen to music, and ever intellectually curious, was often tinkering with things to see how they were made or worked.

George is survived by his sister Burdell DeMuth, daughters Phyllis Giebner (Norman) and Joan Carlson (Dan Huenneke), three grandchildren Sam Giebner (Larissa), Tiffany Salmey (Nick), and Derek Huenneke, two step-grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 3 step-great grandchildren, and 8 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, brother Ted and sister Victoria.

A memorial service for George will be held later this spring. In honor of his generous spirit, the family asks that donations be made to Minnesota Methodist Builders Club (https://www.dkmnmf.org/mn0um-builders .) Though we are sad George is no longer with us, his family feels very blessed to have had him in our lives for so long.