Gene Carlson

Eugene Conrad Carlson was born July 15, 1922 in Clay Center, KS. the first child of Edward and Mildred (Wiberg) Carlson. He attended Wiberg country school near his home and graduated from CCCHS in 1940. In high school he was active in the FFA chapter competing at both the state and national levels including being a member of a judging team that traveled to Chicago, IL. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church where, as a lifelong member, he served many years on the church council and the cemetery board.  On his 26th birthday he met Bonnie Coon. They were married Jan. 15, 1950 at the Wamego Baptist Church. One son, Eric, was born to this union. Gene spent his entire life in Clay County farming and raising cattle and hogs. At the beginning of his farming career he had a custom wheat harvesting business starting in Kansas and working his way up into the Dakotas. Also he was a Pioneer seed dealer for several years. Gene’s favorite part of farming was planting and raising wheat. He took an active interest in the wheat harvest to the end of his life. Gene was a community minded man serving many years on both the Morganville COOP Board and the USDFSA County Committee. He also coached youth fast pitch softball and along with his wife served as the club leader for the Washington Headliners 4-H group. In his later years he enjoyed playing pitch at Morganville with friends and was a follower of K-State basketball and Royals baseball. He was also a keen follower of current events on the local, state and national levels. He read three daily newspapers for years stopping only toward the end of his life. Gene died Wednesday July 5, 2017 at Medicalodge at the age of 94. He is survived by his son Eric and daughter-in-law Geri; one grandson A.J. and his wife Jordan, all of Clay Center; one sister-in-law, Carol Coon; and two dear friends, Marilyn Sherbert of Clay Center and Warren Buss of Linn as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bonnie, who died in 1993, as well his brother Ed and his sister Elaine Thurn. Survivors: Son: Eric and wife Geri Carlson, Clay Center, KS Grandson: A.J and wife Jordan Carlson Funeral Services: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 10:30AM at the Morganville Methodist Church in Morganville, KS Minister: Pastor Sarah Gill Burial: Swedish Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Clay County, Visitation: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 3-8 PM at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home Memorials: Clay County 4-H Development Fund or Clay County Fair Building Fund c/o the funeral home