Oliver Carl Carlson

Oliver Carl Carlson, born January 27, 1921 in Fairview, MT passed away peacefully July 15, 2020 at home in Roseville, MN surrounded by family. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity." Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 Dad loved God, loved people and loved life. But most importantly, he was loved by God, experienced His grace, and through his life grew in that grace and in the knowledge of God. And from that place was able to minister God's grace to others. He was born on January 27, 1921 in Fairview, MT where his parents, pastor Olaf and Ragna, served a Lutheran church. They soon left to be missionaries in southeast Madagascar, stopping in Paris for a year of language study, and then taking a short trip to Norway to see relatives. The family would add 5 more children: Roald, Arne, Audrey, Laila and Haakon; and serve in Madagascar almost 2 decades. Dad and his school-aged siblings attended the mission boarding school in Fort Dauphin; and when his family returned to Madagascar in 1939, he stayed on in St. Paul to graduate from Mechanic Arts High School and start St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN that fall. His father died in April of 1940 which was very hard for him and the whole family. During WW2, Dad welded submarines in Manitowoc, WI; then entered the Infantry, went to Officer Candidate School, and served in Europe until 1946. While in the Army, he felt a call to the ministry. He returned and graduated from St. Olaf, then went on to Luther Seminary in St. Paul. While in seminary, he met Gene Kvaalen, and they were married May 29, 1950 in her hometown of Lambert, MT. Their first child, Margit, was born the next year; and after Dad's ordination in 1951, they moved to Shepherd, MT to serve their first parish, which they very much enjoyed. There, Timothy and Greta were added. Soon, however, they felt God calling them to the mission field; and so, in 1954 they went for a year of language study in Paris, then on to Madagascar. They served 2 terms in Madagascar during the years 1955-1967. Nathan (1957), Camilla (1961) and Christopher (1964) were born during that time, and the towns of Ambovombe, Antanimora, Tsihombe and Manantenina would be their homes and places of ministry. They enjoyed serving the Malagasy alongside their fellow missionaries. Margit, Timothy and Nathan went to the boarding school in Fort Dauphin. While on furlough, in November of 1961, Dad and Mom, seeking healing for Greta, their mentally handicapped daughter, took her to a church meeting led by William S. Reid, MD, an Episcopalian who was involved in healing and Holy Spirit renewal. There they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and their lives and ministries were transformed. Their work back in Madagascar was focused more on healing and deliverance, and with the Fifohazana, the Malagasy "awakening" movement, inviting its leader, Nenilava, to minister with them. In 1968, Dad and Mom felt called to Daystar Ministries, and we moved to Zion Harbor, a Bible camp on Leech Lake in Northern MN, where he became the director, and was involved in teaching and prayer ministry. In 1977 they transferred to the Daystar Gardner center in Fargo, ND, continuing their ministry. In 1978-79 they lived in Strasbourg, France, working with the renewal movement in Alsace/Lorraine. In 1983, they returned to Madagascar, to Tsihombe, for five more years of mission work with the Malagasy Lutheran Church and the Fifohazana, leaving children and grandchildren behind in the States, but then hosting them for visits. In 1989, having retired from the mission field, they were invited to live in the parsonage of North Heights Lutheran Church. Again, they were involved in teaching and prayer ministry, Dad often leading altar ministry Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings at the church. He also taught at the Lay Ministry Training Center, and they hosted a number of students from there and The Master's Institute. They continued to make short-term mission trips back to Madagascar, and also to Russia and India. And as the family grew, Dad and Mom spent a lot of time visiting and hosting them. In family, Dad valued togetherness and relationship. He was so fond and appreciative of Mom, saying she was the second-best thing that happened to him (after salvation). Family devotions were an important part of the day, where we would read Scripture, discuss, sing and pray together. He and Mom planned family vacations to bring us closer, often involving camping and backpacking. Family councils were called to discuss important decisions. Dad had many interests and special qualities. He was very fond of honey, and beekeeping, and had a dozen or more hives when at Zion Harbor and Fargo. He planted gardens and fruit trees wherever he could, in Madagascar and the US. He was a good mechanic and woodworker, and knife-sharpener. He loved classical music, attended concerts, brought a phonograph and records out to Madagascar, and knew many pieces by heart. He enjoyed camping, backpacking and canoeing, first going to the Boundary Waters in the 1940s and continuing into late 1990s. He and Mom traveled widely in both the US and internationally, often visiting family, relatives and friends - they hardly ever had to stay in a hotel. He was gregarious and friendly, an asset as a missionary, pastor and camp director. He would strike up conversations wherever he went -- in retirement, he developed many friendships in the stores and the gas stations around the parsonage, extending invitations for meals and holidays. The Scriptures were also very important to Dad. Some of his favorites, which impacted him and his ministry, were: 1) Mark 1:4, 15. How both John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministries with calls for repentance.2) Acts 1:8. The importance of the Holy Spirit for ministry. He would emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit - the dunamis/dynamite power.3) 1 Corinthians 6:19, Colossians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 3:16. Being indwelt by the triune God. This was important for him personally and in ministry to others.4) 2 Corinthians 2:2-5. This was the text for the first sermon that his father preached in Madagascar (in Manambaro). And for dad it highlighted the importance of preaching Christ and having a message not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.5) Romans 8:37. That in Christ Jesus we are more than conquerors. He would like to add "with victories to spare."6) John 16:27. "The Father himself loves you" - how knowing the tender heart of the Father is so important. He would also add Colossians 1:27, how we are accepted in the Beloved.7) James 3:17. About the wisdom from above that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. He prayed this over us kids every day before going to school.8) Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. He prayed this over us as well. And it was so important for him and he stressed it to others. Spending time in the word, soaking in the word.9) Romans chapters 9, 10 and 11, about Israel and the church, climaxing in 11:25-26: "A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel shall be saved." He liked Ezekiel 37 as well: "And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord."10) Psalm 103. "Bless the Lord O my soul"- the importance of praise. He would often be speaking words of praise to the Lord - "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord."11) Luke 23:34. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The importance of unilateral forgiveness. As he received healing for wounds he had received, he was able to help others extend forgiveness, walk in forgiveness and receive healing.He would also talk about the martyr period In Madagascar, how the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. 12) Psalm 67. Our family psalm. Given to us by the Lord on New Year's Day, 1967, and it has been a psalm that we as a family have said together over and over again. God is gracious to us and blesses us and causes his face to shine upon us that his way may be known on the earth, his saving power among all nations. We are blessed to be a blessing! So dad passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family at the ripe old age of 99. He had grown in the grace and knowledge of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will be giving Him glory through all eternity! Hallelujah! He is survived by his wife Gene Carlson of Roseville, MN, his sister Laila Rogers of Newtonville, MA, children Margit Thorndal of Laurel, MT, Timothy Carlson of Roseville MN, Greta Carlson of Park Rapids MN, Nathan (Jenny) Carlson of Castle Rock CO, Camilla (Todd) Jacobsen of Sioux Falls SD, Christopher (Kim) Carlson of Fridley MN; 16 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, 24 1 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, and 24 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents Olaf and Ragna Carlson; siblings Arne, Roald, Haakon and Audrey Carlson; and son-in-law William Thorndal. A burial service was held at Fort Snelling the morning of July 20th and a small family service that afternoon at North Heights Lutheran Church Roseville. A video of the service, as well as other stories and photos can be viewed at oliverandgenecarlson.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to North Heights Lutheran Church, Global Health Ministries, or Friends of Madagascar Missions. Donations can also be made through the above website to these three organizations.

Tributes

Oliver Carl Carlson

January 27, 1921 - July 15, 2020

Tributes

Oliver Carl Carlson

January 27, 1921 - July 15, 2020

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