Mary Carlson

Mary Carlson, 96, of Elbow Lake passed away peacefully Sunday, February 8, 2026, surrounded by family, at Sanford Health in Fargo.

Mary Frances (Keller) Carlson was born on July 14, 1929, in Tintah, Minnesota, the daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Koziol) Keller. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Galls Catholic Church in Tintah. Mary attended country school until 6th grade then continued school in Tintah. Growing up in a family of 14 children, she began helping with the farm work at a very young age.

Mary’s work experience includes working as a bookkeeper for several grain elevators, a sewing supervisor at Rosenblatts sewing manufacturer in Fergus Falls, waitressing at Ten Mile Lake Steak House and the Ranch House in Fergus Falls MN.

On February 20, 1971, she married Ralph Carlson. They farmed near Norcross raising beef and dairy cattle, growing grain and sugar beets. Mary loved having an active role in the farming operations where she drove tractors, trucks, and helped with the animals.

After retirement, Mary and Ralph moved to Elbow Lake and lived on Tipsinah Mounds golf course, where they would golf together often. Mary also participated in a weekly women’s golf league. They loved to travel. She also continued to garden and canning vegetables. Mary was very competitive and enjoyed playing card games, dice and puzzles. She was a very active Twins and Vikings fan and enjoyed going to games. Her favorite TV watching was sports and game shows. She loved to watch it all, football, baseball, golf etc. But you better not make a bad play or give a stupid bid on the Price is Right or she would let you know it. Her TV heard a lot!

Mary and Ralph wintered in Arizona for 31 years, where she participated in a women’s billiards league and became quite a pool shark. She also enjoyed quilting, socializing with friends and dancing.

Mary is survived by her children Larry (Lois) O’Meara of Bemidji, MN, Edee O’Meara of Minneapolis, MN, LouAnn (Jeff) Bullis of Elbow Lake, MN, Corey (Michelle) Carlson of Fargo, ND; Eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren. Sister Audrey Johnson of Fergus Falls, brothers Edward Keller of Breckenridge and Toby Keller of River Falls, WI, and numerous relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Agnes Keller; husband Ralph Carlson; previous spouse Orman O’Meara; sons-in-law Brian Schlener and Dennis Blow; sisters Irene Helsene, Tilly Aune, Dorothy Michels, Grace Goergen, Gina Thomas, Rita Lehman, Janice Schellinger, Eleanor Olson; brothers Cyril and Louis Keller.

Visitation 4:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake, Minnesota, resuming one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Olaf Catholic Church, Elbow Lake, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the mass.

Interment: St Galls Cemetery, Tintah, Minnesota.

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake.