Lloyd John Carlson

Lloyd J. Carlson, 88 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake.  Funeral Services for Lloyd will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND with Reverend Trudy Dumont, Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of service.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Graveside Services will be held on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Memorial Cemetery, rural Mandan. Lloyd John, was born at home in Wellsburg, ND on December 31, 1928, the oldest of twin boys. He attended Wellsburg Public School and graduated from Harvey High School.  Lloyd started his career on the railroad in 1949 and retired as a General Signal Maintainer with Burlington Northern after 42 years of service. He proudly served with the United States Army, stateside from August of 1954 until August of 1956, then with the United States Army Reserve until July 31, 1962 receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Specialist 3.  After his discharge he returned to North Dakota and married Donna Nokleby. After her death he was blessed to meet Mona Lou Mellum and marry in September of 1969. They made Minot, ND their home where they lived, worked and raised Mona’s children together.   Mona Lou died in August of 2000.  Lloyd enjoyed many trips with his grandchildren and also trips West with his brothers to visit relatives.  He had an extensive collection of miniature clocks.  He loved to play pinochle with anyone who wanted to play.  He enjoyed a bourbon and water and good conversation with friends and family.  He also had a caring heart for all, including his faithful canine companion, Sam.  Lloyd was blessed to again find love and companionship and was united in marriage to Agnes (Bengson) Halvorson on January 2, 2001. They made their home in Minot and later Devils Lake.  Lloyd is survived by his wife Agnes; step daughter Barb (Bryce) Leigh, Colleyville, Texas; grandchildren Bill, Catherine, Jennifer, Mark, John and Haley Mellum all of Arizona, David (Mendy) and Bryan (Natasha) Leigh and Kelly (Cole) Ronan all of Texas; six great grandchildren; brother Richard Carlson, New Rockford, ND; sister Gloria Stanton, Canyon County, CA; Agnes’s children Linda, Cheri, Donna, Shirley, Lyle, Alan, Patty, Lori and Gary and Agnes’s grandchildren; several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother LeRoy and brother Donald; wife Donna and Mona Lou; step sons Steve Mellum and Thom Mellum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice in memory of Lloyd. Lloyd is in the care of the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.