Dennis L. Carlson

Dennis L. Carlson, 84, of Wakefield, NE, died on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Providence Medical Center in Wayne, NE.  The funeral service for Dennis will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Wakefield; Pastor Jill Craig will be officiating.  The visitation will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Wakefield, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Bressler - Munderloh - Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield is in charge of the services.  Memorials are suggested to Covenant Cedars Bible Camp or the Wakefield Senior Center.

Dennis was born on July 7th, 1938, in WakefieldNebraska and went home to his Heavenly Father on February 8th, 2023, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with leukemia.  Denny was born to Vern and Amelia (Hanson) Carlson.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Lutheran Church.  He attended country school before attending high school in Wakefield.  He graduated from high school in 1955 and remained best friends with his classmates all through the years.  Shortly after graduating, he met the love of his life, Ellen Beckman, on a blind date.  The couple was married on April 5, 1959.  From this union, the couple had three children, Doug, Mike, and Lori.  

Denny operated his family’s farm until 1992, which included being a shepherd to numerous flocks of sheep.  After farming, he kept busy working at Midland Equipment and GG 3 Chicken Farm. Denny and Ellen began wintering in Arizona in 2010.  While there he found several hobbies that he thoroughly enjoyed, from woodworking to rock polishing. He made several pieces of jewelry that he loved to share with all his “girlfriends”.  And if you ever had the honor to get one of his necklaces, it was a privilege. Besides his wife, his other love was hunting.  He started hunting in 1956 and was able to continue until 2021. Hunting was a passion that he loved to share with his family and friends.  Whether it was duck hunting at Santee or deer hunting in western Nebraska it was his paradise.

Denny was a friend to all no matter their age.  He adored holding babies and waving to the kids from his chair after school.  Denny lived a simple life but enjoyed every bit of it. Camping, motorcycles, ball games, and car shows kept him on the go.  He was a devout Christian, as a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church where he served as a deacon, trustee, Sunday school superintendent, and usher.  He served on the board for Covenant Cedars Bible Camp, Brangus Cattle Board, and the Cemetery Board.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Ellen of Wakefield, NE; son, Doug (Elizabeth) Carlson of Wakefield, NE, son, Mike (Lisa) Carlson of Ponca, NE; daughter, Lori (Don) Peterson of Rockford, MN.  Four grandsons, Jared, Jake, Logan (Chloe), and Aaron; three great-grandchildren, Kemper, Olivia and Cooper.  His brother, David Carlson of San Antonio, TX.