Nina Winifred Carlson

Nina W. Carlson passed away on January 18, 2025 at her apartment at Monarch Lakeshore Assisted Living. She was 101 years old. 

Nina was born the seventh child of William L. Marshall and Nina M. Marshall (Clarke) in Osage City, Kansas on April 13, 1923. Nina’s father had a full service dairy, so Nina spent part of her early years cleansing the used milk bottles and placing the newly filled bottles in a water bath to cool. She was blessed with an abundance of athletic abilities. She was best known for being one of the better fastpitch softball pitchers in the state of Kansas. In her best season, her record was 23-2, taking the Osage City team to the finals of the state championship. After high school Nina attended Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas. After her first year, World War II broke out, and she served her country in a civilian role at Forbes Field Air Base in Topeka. 

In 1951, she married a handsome turkey farmer from Arkansas. Arthur Jr. and Nina lived in a number of towns in Arkansas and Kansas as they brought three boys into the world - Arthur III, Kurt and Don. In 1963, they moved to Waseca, MN where they lived their remaining years. Through those years they were active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Nina was employed at Audio Visual Research, then at the Neighborhood Service Center, and finally for the Minnesota Valley Action Council, arranging transportation for senior citizens. 

In 1968-9, the Carlson’s hosted David Salter, a foreign exchange student from New Zealand, who has long been seen as part of the family. During their retirement years, Art and Nina traveled to all 50 states and several locations around the world. They especially enjoyed the times that they could spend with the boys and their spouses. They treasured every moment with each of their nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Nina was preceded in death by her parents, all of her eight brothers and sisters, her husband, Arthur Jr. and her oldest son Arthur III. She is survived by her two remaining sons - Kurt Carlson (Jane) of Rochester, MN, Don Carlson (Shar Paquette) of Bemidji, MN, a daughter-in-law, Sheila Hoffman of St. Paul, MN, as well as her nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Nina’s memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Any memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Nina will be interred with her beloved husband Art at Woodville Cemetery on the outskirts of Waseca, MN.