To view a livestream of the service, access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
To view the flowers from Ray’s service, click here: Ray Carlson Flowers
Ray Carlson, 68, Minot died on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 in his home with his family at his side. He courageously battled Lung Cancer for seven months.
Ray Loren Carlson was born on March 9, 1956 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND to Edwin and Iva (Wood) Carlson. He was raised in Minot and attended Minot Model Elementary School, Des Lacs High School and graduated from Minot High School in 1975. As a young adult he drove truck for various trucking companies and was employed at the Homestake Mine near Lead, SD.
Ray married Elaine Haugen on August 14, 1982 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Brethren Church in Minot. They made their home in Minot and were the proud parents of five children: Katie, Luke, Anne, Mary and Garrett. For the last 28 years Ray was the owner and operator of the Drain Doctor Drain Cleaning Service. He retired due to ill health in November 2023.
Ray was a member of First Baptist Church and a former member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church both in Minot. He was a man of faith and very active in his church quietly serving behind the scenes in support of children’s ministries with his wife Elaine. Ray especially enjoyed canoeing and camping with his family. He learned the skill of making traditional smoked pork sausage from his father-in-law, John Haugen and proudly carried on the family tradition. He cared deeply for his children and enjoyed the rich blessing of watching his grandchildren grow. His greatest prayer was that his grandchildren would grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Ray’s loving family includes his wife of 41 years Elaine; children: Katie Carlson of GlenBurnie MD, Luke (Tara) Carlson of Fergus Falls MN, Anne (Jay) Borseth of Bismarck, Mary Carlson and Garrett Carlson both of Minot; grandchildren: Ada, Adeline and Jedidiah Borseth; Elsa, Curtis and Caleb Carlson and Makonnen Payne; siblings: Karen (Roger) Crocker, Joyce (Dan) Childers, Dianne (Douglas) Brendsel, John (Darlene) Carlson, Duane (Dawn) Carlson, Ken (Patty) Carlson and Douglas (Rhonda) Carlson; brother-in-law: David Kopp; in-laws: Dorathy (Larry) Schatz, James (Sandy) Haugen, Mike (Janice) Haugen, Pat (Shelley) Haugen, Jerry (Marilyn) Haugen, Darlene (Gary) Letvin, and Dan (Christal) Haugen, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents: Edwin and Iva (Wood) Carlson, infant sister: Elaine Mae Carlson, sister: Ruth Kopp, in-laws: John and Dolores Haugen and nephew Matthew Brendsel.
Celebration of the Life of Ray Carlson: Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in First Baptist Church – Minot. To view a livestream of the service, access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens – Minot.
Visitation: Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in First Baptist Church.
Memorials are preferred to Child Evangelism Fellowship or the charity of the donor’s choice.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Ray Carlson, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
