Sidney Carlson, 87

(Sid Carlson's daughter, Kathy, was a member of the Class of 1965)

Sidney Carlson was born April 30, 1919 in St. Paul to Conrad and Agnes (Bergstrom) Carlson. The family moved to the Blackwell Lake area near Holmes City. Sid graduated from Alexandria High School and attended Bethel College in St. Paul. He transferred to the University of Minnesota where he earned his bachelor's degree in music education in 1943. Sid had the privilege of marching in General Prescott's University Marching Band.
Sid enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps in 1943. On March 19, 1944, Sid married Christina Evatz in Casper, Wyoming. Sid served in the European Theater during World War II, was shot down, and served almost a year as a POW in Germany.
Upon returning stateside in 1945 Sid became band director at New York Mills High School and later in Osakis and Barrett high schools. In 1948 he purchased and operated a small music shop in Alexandria while continuing to direct high school bands part-time. That shop would later become Carlson Music Center.
Sid had been a member of the Alexandria Kiwanis Club for more than 60 years. His first acquaintance with the service group was as a speaker as a returning POW. Sid was also a member of the First Baptist Church for many years and the Grace Baptist Church. He sang in the Runic Male Chorus, played trumpet with the Alexandria Civic Orchestra, and was a member of the American Legion post. He was a sports enthusiast and also held a private pilot's license.
Sid died May 23, 2006, at Douglas County Hospital at age 87.
He is survived by his son, Ron (Sara) Carlson of Alexandria; daughters, Kathy (Bruce) McCabe of Minneapolis and Sally (Chris) Malone of Minneapolis; nine grandchildren, Daren (Linette) Carlson of Eden Prairie, Matthew Carlson of Eden Prairie, Kristina Carlson of Alexandria, Katie Carlson of Alexandria, Casey Carlson of Alexandria, Daniel McCabe of Minneapolis, Michael McCabe of Minneapolis, Taylor Malone of Minneapolis and Evan Malone of Minneapolis.
Sid was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Chris, in 2002.
Funeral services were held May 26 at First Baptist Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Craig Dahl officiating. Music was provided by Marcia Peterson, Bruce McCabe, Bill Riggs and Randy Morken. Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria with Sid's grandchildren serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Clifford "Punt" Peterson, Ed Tanquist, George Battles, Jerry Tilleskjor, Dwayne Soderholm, David Heldt, J.T. King and Murrae Freng. The American Legion Post 87 accorded military honors.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.