Roger H. Carlson

ROCHESTER:Roger H. Carlson, 84 of Rochester, MN died Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Stewartville Care Center. He was born December 23, 1930 in Red Wing, MN to Ernest and Phebe (Bollum) Carlson.His parents farmed in Zumbrota Mazeppa area and he attended country schools and then graduated from Mazeppa High School.He was married to the former Donna Finsteun of Zumbrota and they were later divorced. He later married Martha Lee (McCoy) on September 19, 1970.He served in Korea as a medic with the Army Artillery during the Korean War. After his discharge in 1952, he worked in the body shop at the Grover Auto Company in Zumbrota.In 1956 he moved to Rochester and worked in sales for National Bushing Auto Parts Company and later became a Co-Owner of the firm,In 1967 he sold his business interests to his partners and began working for State Farm Insurance Company as an Auto Claims Representative at their Rochester office.He worked for State Farm over 26 years as a Claims adjuster in Rochester and Detroit Lakes as a Claim Supervisor in Brainerd where he retired in December 1993. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, his granddaughters and Arizona winters. Roger was a member of Zumbro Lutheran Church, The American legion and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Roger is survived by his wife, Martha; a daughter, Karen Carlson of Maplewood; a son, John (Wendy) Carlson of Hines, Minnesota; step daughters, Laurie Gleason Hibbing and Wendy Timm of Stewartville; step son, Brian (Sue) McCoy of Rochester; granddaughters Christina (Herb) Henzel of Park Rapids, Kelly (Andrew) Stultz of Blackduck, MN, Carrie Carlson of Menahga, MN;his step granddaughters, Sara Vail of Byron and Emily Timm of Winona; two great granddaughters; two step great granddaughtersand three step great grandsons. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. There will be a funeral service Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Zumbro Lutheran Church with a visitation one hour prior to the service.Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice.