Ronald Carlson

Ronald G. Carlson, 74, of Baxter, MN died at his home on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Services for Ronald will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 2:00PM at Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd, MN with Pastor Justin Halbersma officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Ronald was born on June 2, 1943 in Stephen, MN to Clarence and Bernice (Erickson) Carlson. He was raised and educated in Stephen, and graduated high school from Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston. Ronald received a bachelor degree from North Dakota State University Agriculture Engineering. He married JoAnne Straus on August 29, 1964 in Stephen, MN. He farmed with his father and his brother for a number of years, before starting his own farming operation. He was president of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association and numerous other committees. He was also on the National Potato Council. He retired from farming in 2000 and then moved to Baxter, where he sold real estate, with a number of different companies -- Century 21, Goedker and Weichert. He retired from real estate in 2014. Ronald loved hunting, fishing, golfing, and put his engineering skills to work designing and building machinery. He was an avid reader, loved being a pilot and enjoyed family houseboating trips at the Lake of the Woods. His more recent pursuits included renovating homes and being a former potato farmer, growing potatoes in his garden at home. He loved animals, especially his constant companion, Kuchen, a German Shepherd, who was always at his side.

Ronald is survived by his wife, JoAnne of 53 years; son, Shawn (Robyn) of Dilworth, MN; and daughter, Stephanie (Paul) Berg of Bloomington, MN; three grandsons, Bailey Carlson, Brenner Carlson, and Devan Berg; siblings, Bonnye (Ernie) Huland of Hudson, WI, David (Kathy) Carlson of Minocqua, WI, Carmen (Ray) Loida of Maplewood, MN, and Susan Carlson of Brainerd, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Bernice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.