Ronald Carlson

Ronald Myron Carlson, 88, of Bullhead, AZ and formerly of Michigan, ND, passed peacefully at his home in Bullhead, AZ.  He was surrounded by Ila and children.  
Ron was born May 18, 1935, to the late Ben and Johanna (Thompson) Carlson.  He was baptized and confirmed at Quale Lutheran Church.  Ron spent his childhood growing up on the family farm and graduated from Dahlen High School.
He proudly served his country in the U. S. Air Force for four years.  Ron attended Air Born Radar School at Lowery A.F.B. in Denver, Colorado.  After this initial training they sent him to the Moody A.F.B. in Valdosta, Georgia.  It was here that he enjoyed working on the F86, F89, and F94 Fighter Interceptor planes.  After an honorable discharge, he returned to Minneapolis to work construction by day and attend North Western Electronic School at night.
In 1962, after graduation from N.W., Boeing employed him for the Minuteman Missile Program.  Ron and his family were sent to Seattle, Washington for additional schooling on the missile system.  It was from here they moved extensively to the bases around the country.  His last 18 months of his career, Ron was sent to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to assist with their early warning radar system.  At the time, there were 18 sites around the perimeter of the country.
After 30 years with Boeing, he retired in 1992, to return home to North Dakota.  It was then that he met Ila Loken and spent the next 30 years happily living on the farm in Michigan, North Dakota and eventually spending the winters as “snowbirds” in Bullhead, AZ.  His favorite hobby was to buy and restore old tractors for his massive collection, along with collecting wonderful antiques.
Ron is a member of the Bosh Ryba American Legion Post 157 of Lankin, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Carroll, Sheldon, Urban, Dorman, Dennis, Leslie and his sister Johanna.   He is survived by his sister Delores Wermerskirchen.
Grateful to have shared Ron’s life are Ila Loken; Ron’s four children Carla Craigle, Ron, Jr., Shawn and Shane; Carol Morris,  Mark Loken, Shiela Alvarez; all the beautiful grandchildren and precious great-grandchildren and the many nieces and nephews he also treasured.
VISITATION will be for one hour prior to the FUNERAL SERVICES on  Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m at Quale Lutheran Church, rural Fordville.  BURIAL will follow in Quale Church Cemetery. MILITARY HONORS and Flag Presentation will be by the Bosh Ryba Post No. 157 of the Lankin American Legion and the US Air Force Honor Guard.
Please join the Carlson and Loken families for lunch  at the Legion Hall in Lankin after the service.
**In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Quale Lutheran Church’s general fund.

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