Francis Carlson

Gowrie- Francis R. (Sonny) Carlson, 87, passed away Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Fort Dodge Health and Rehab. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie with Ronald and DeAnne Dundson officiating. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE. Burial will be in Dayton Cemetery with military rites presented by the Greenfield-Harquist American Legion Post #699. Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie is in charge of arrangements. Sonny was born on May 30, 1934, on his family farm a mile north of Harcourt to Mildred and Francis Carlson Sr. He graduated from Harcourt Consolidated School in 1952. Sonny was united in marriage to Marilyn J. Mann on November 8, 1953 and was happily married for 65 years before her passing in 2018. Sonny enlisted in the Army in May 1954. After completing basic training in Fort Bliss, Texas, he completed automotive and anti-aircraft weaponry training before being stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Following his discharge from the Army, he made deliveries for numerous companies before driving a semi-truck with Smithway Motor Xpress for 30 years where he reached the prestigious four-million-mile mark. Sonny and Marilyn lived in or around Harcourt for their entire marriage before moving to Gowrie in 2017. They spent twenty-four years as snowbirds in Arizona making lasting friendships with people across the country. Sonny was known for his love of trains and created elaborate displays for his extensive model train collection. He was a talented artist who enjoyed creating Swedish weave, painting rocks, and leading classes on sand and zipper art. If you knew Sonny, chances are you played a game or two with him. He was an avid card player who also enjoyed bocce ball, dominoes, and cribbage. His favorite hobby, however, was taking trips with his sweetheart and spending time with his family. Sonny is survived by his son, Randy Carlson of Walker, Minnesota; daughter, Lori (Larry) Rankin of Pleasantville, Iowa; foster daughter, Tammy Buriak of Florida; grandchildren, Jennifer (Justin) Lee, Jason (Jenna) Ekstrom, Mat (Ashley) Spicer, Aaron (Chong) Carlson, Hayley Rankin (Mitchell), Michelle Pennington and family, Eric (Leah) Rankin; as well as four great-grandchildren, Austin, Avery, and Aiden Lee, and Oliver Ekstrom. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn and daughter, Barbara Lyn, his parents, Mildred and Francis Sr, and his sisters, Dorothy and Ramona. Memorials may be left to the Community of Christ Church in Coalville and Southwest Webster Ambulance.