Ernest L. Carlson, 97, a life-long Beresford resident, passed away December 25, 2017 at Bethesda of Beresford.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 30 at Dalesburg Baptist Church, rural Beresford, SD.  Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:30 at Bethesda Chapel followed by a prayer service at 6:30 PM.

Ernie Carlson was born December 31, 1919 in Beresford, SD to Gus and Anna (Midtun) Carlson.  He and his 6 brothers and sisters grew up on the farm in Beresford where they attended Burney School.  Ernie enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served in Patton's 3rd Army in the 95th Infantry.  He was involved in the invasion of France, the Battle of Metz and the liberation of the concentration camps.  Ernie rarely spoke of the things he witnessed but did share his story of service in the Veterans History Project ( http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.13093/sr0001001.stream ).

Following his return to Beresford, he met his future wife, Harriet Carlson.  They were married April 28, 1947.  Ernie and Harriet farmed, raised sheep and other livestock for forty years and moved into Beresford in 1989.  They loved to travel and spent many winters with family in California, Arizona, Oregon and Virginia.

Ernie was an active member of Dalesburg Baptist Church where he was a trustee, treasurer and took part in church boards.  He took up golf and joined a men's league where he proudly scored a hole-in-one in '92.  He golfed until he just couldn't anymore. While Harriet enjoyed crocheting, Ernie enjoyed reading, often referring to his beloved well-used dictionary.   He was humble, hardworking, a life-long learner and critical thinker.

He is survived by his daughter, Diane Tollefson and her husband, Ron, Alexandria, VA; son, Doug Carlson and his special friend, Mary Konrad, Lake Oswego, OR; three grandchildren, Kevin Tollefson, Greg Tollefson, Christine Tollefson and her husband, Christopher Nehls, all of Virginia; great-granddaughter, Astrid Nehls; sister, Isabel Johnson, MO; brother-in-law, Roger and his wife, Karen Carlson, Kearney, NE; and sisters-in-law, Carol Carlson and Lorraine Carlson, both of Beresford, SD and Isabel Carlson, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Harriet, on May 13, 2016; his parents, Gus and Anna; his brothers, Kenneth, Don, Nelse and Francis; his sister, Ellen; a niece and two nephews.