Gordon Carlson, 101, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Ava's House.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5 to 7 pm Friday, September 9, 2022, at the Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 South Minnesota Avenue. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at First Evangelical Free Church with burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery. The funeral service will be streamed by the church at https://youtu.be/T1aRrepsqEI

Gordon Stanley Carlson was born on December 20, 1920 in Anoka County, Minnesota to Clifford and Vera (Erickson) Carlson. He passed away on September 6, 2022 (his beloved Eleanor's birthday) at Ava's House in Sioux Falls.  That Tuesday morning Gordon sat up, looked at the nurse and said, "I have a flight to catch", laid down and joined his Lord.

Gordon was the oldest of 6 children. They grew up on a farm during the depression when eggs only cost 11 cents/dozen. As a young man, he worked as a farm hand for his neighbor for 50 cents/day. He moved to Sioux Falls to work at the Guernsey Dairy, then served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant and was stationed in the Philippines and Japan during and after World War II. After the war, he and his brother started a logging business but after a few months Gordon decided to return to Sioux Falls because Milaca, Minnesota had "no cars and no women." He entered the construction business, met and married Eleanor Swanstrom. Together they raised 6 children (3 sons and they each had a sister, as he liked to say).

After working for Ward Lumber, he went into business for himself in 1964, which gave him the opportunity to give some of his children an apprenticeship. He worked with his son Stan in Grand Forks, ND the summer of 1970. He lined up shingling jobs for sons Stan and Leroy another summer. He and Leroy worked together fulltime from 1977 to 1980. Gordon did a lot of remodeling jobs, often being asked to do a 2nd or 3rd job for the same customer.

Family vacations were often trips to see grandparents and cousins. After retirement he and Eleanor saw most of the cities and small towns in SD, as well as most of the state parks. Venturing further away to visit their married children led them to travel in the 48 lower states.  He definitely enjoyed spending a few winters in Florida with Susie and Scott. They also went to Austria in 1988 to work with Leroy and Marla and got to see a bit of Bavaria and Venice.

In 2008,  Gordon and Eleanor moved out of Sioux Falls city limits and into the lower level of Patti & Marshall's home/acreage, where he continued to enjoy "making sawdust" until the end of his life.  He also enjoyed gardening (although he never ate the fresh tomatoes he grew). In 2015, they moved to Prairie Creek Assisted Living, just in time to celebrate his 95th birthday.  He continued gardening to provide flowers in the dining room, and wood projects, (especially whirly-gigs that he gave to friends).  This made his room look more like a shop/greenhouse than a home.

The most important thing in his life was his relationship with Jesus, and he was always eager to share his faith with those around him. His children, grand-children and great-grandchildren were blessed by his example of devotion to his wife, his church and his Lord. He lived his life demonstrating his love of God and loving his neighbor. His friends loved to visit him and enjoy his keen mind and memory.  As family and visitors would leave, Gordon would say, "Keep looking up".

Of huge meaning and delight in his life was serving the Lord in his church.  Since first coming to Sioux Falls as a young man he was a part of First Evangelical Free Church.  He served as member, elder and deacon, church chairman, Boys Brigade program leader, Sunday School teacher, and carpenter of various furnishings and remodels.  He and Eleanor were faithfully involved in all aspects of church life, including small Bible Study groups.  His humble service and spirit of encouragement towards others was a reflection of his spiritual convictions.

The family is grateful for the loving care he received at Ava's house and for the meaningful visits by many friends and family during the last 2 months of his life.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mae Anderson, brothers Kenneth Carlson and Lloyd Carlson, wife Eleanor, and infant daughter Debra.

He is survived by his sister Marlys Gilmore (Calistoga, CA), brother Dale (Sacramento, CA), his children Stan (Gwen) Carlson, Rochester, MN, Leroy (Marla) Carlson, East Troy, WI, Sue Smith (Scott), Altamonte Springs, FL, Patti Guthrie (Marshall), Sioux Falls, Dave (Rochelle) Carlson, Fitchburg, WI, and Eileen Scaringi (Paul), Duluth, MN, his grand-children Dave (Cherry) Carlson, Brian (Melanie) Carlson, Deborah (Joe) Hughes, Katie (Mike) Ver Lee, Mark (Helen) Smith, Mike (Christina) Guthrie, Timothy (Amanda) Carlson, Peter Carlson and 18 great-grandchildren.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5 to 7 pm Friday Sept 9, 2022 at Miller Funeral Home, 7400 S Minnesota Ave. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday Sept 10, 2022, at First Evangelical Free Church, 2601 W 69th St, Sioux Falls with burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to First Evangelical Free Church of Sioux Falls or Habitat for Humanity.