Elmer L. Carlson

Elmer L. Carlson was born in Vliets, Kansas on August 17, 1928. He became our Guardian Angel on July 12, 2021
His family moved from Vliets to Axtell in 1939 where he lived until he was drafted into the Army at the end of the
Korea war. He was stationed in Colorado and then Yuma Test Branch (YPG). While there he met and married
Nadine Davis on April 2, 1952. They were married 681/2 years until Nadine’s death in 2020.
While in the Army, he was part of the Army Core of Engineers. He worked several odd jobs in Yuma until he was
hired on with Bureau of Reclamation and then the International Boundary and Water Commission. After 33 years in
federal service, he retired in 1983. For several years after retirement, he spent his time traveling around Yuma
County and Calexico with his son’s coin operated business.
As a member of the First Christian Church, he sang in the choir, became a Deacon, and for several years was on the
Missions Committee visiting several missions in Mexico.
Upon retirement, he went on many adventures with Nadine enjoying cooler climates in the summer. He loved
traveling and visited all the National Parks, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Niagara Falls, Hawaii, Oceanside,
Washington, Texas, Alaska, Colorado, New York, and a cruise to the Baltics. He enjoyed hunting with his son and
grandson going to Wyoming, Texas and Northern Arizona. Until August of 2018, you could find him most mornings
having coffee at Goldsboro’s Bakery and visiting with the regulars. In August of 2018 he moved with Nadine to Desert
Rose where he enjoyed meeting many new people and the many activities offered.
He is survived by his sister June Masters, daughter MaryAnn (George) Ferguson; son Michael (Barbara) Carlson;
and daughter Marjorie Nichols. He has six grandchildren; Jennifer (Jacob) Wilkins, Matthew (Allison) Ferguson, Nick
(Brianna) Carlson, Meredith (Corene) Rudolph, Michelle and Michael Baran, nine great-grandchildren; Brycen and
Logan Rudolph, Jack, Mattea and Blake Wilkins, Ian and Zachary Carlson, Clark and Heidi Ferguson.
He was preceded in death by his wife Nadine Carlson, parents Oscar and Mary Carlson, brothers
Glen, Ivan and Jim Carlson, grandson TJ Nichols and great grandson Logan Carlson.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alzheimer's Association, Hospice of Yuma, Humane Society or a charity
of your choice. No services planned at this time.

She started working at Hicks Ponder in 1961, later becoming a supervisor until it closed in 1984. She was an aide at
Rolle School, a YRMC pink lady in the gift shop, and volunteered at both Hospice of Yuma and Yuma Humane
Society thrift stores. As a member of First Christian Church she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and
volunteered when needed. If a job needed to get done, she was the first to step in and make it happen. She enjoyed

entertaining and having friends over for dinner and to play cards.

Upon retirement, she went on many adventures with her husband enjoying cooler climates in the summer. She loved
traveling and visited all the National Parks, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Niagara Falls, Hawaii, Oceanside,

Washington, Texas, Alaska, Colorado, and New York.
She is survived by her husband Elmer, her daughter

MaryAnn (George) Ferguson; son Michael (Barbara) Carlson; and daughter Marjorie Nichols. She had seven
grandchildren; TJ Nichols, Jennifer (Jacob) Wilkins, Matthew (Allison) Ferguson, Nick (Brianna) Carlson, Meredith
(Corene) Rudolph, Michelle, and Michael. She had nine great-grandchildren; Brycen, Logan, Jack, Blake, Mattea,

Ian, Zachary, Clark, and Heidi.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey Davis and Susie Bagby, her sister Charlene, her brother Jr.
Davis, her brother Eddie John,

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elmer L. Carlson, please visit our floral store.