Orlean E. "Bud" Carlson

Orlean E. “Bud” Carlson, 94 a long time resident of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday evening, June 11, 2017 at his home in the loving care of family and Altru Hospice. Orlean Ervin, son of Ole and Emma (Melland) Carlson was born on April 7, 1923 on the family farm, rural Loma, ND. At a young age he moved with the family to Edmore and attended Edmore Public School.  Two weeks before his graduation from Edmore High School, Orlean was drafted into the United States Army. After basic training as a Military Police, he was shipped overseas and was part of the Naples-Foggia (Salerno) and Rome-Arno battles. He was captured during the Rome-Arno Battle on February 18, 1944 and was a POW until his release on April 13, 1945.  During his captivity, Stalag VIII-B prison camp was part of the “Death March Across Germany” with thousands of other POW’s. This “Lamsdorf Death March” had a very high mortality rate among the prisoners.  After his release, he was in charge of German POW’s and Bud was honorably discharged on November 6, 1945 with the rank of Corporal.  He was the recipient of several decorations and citations including the American Theater Ribbon with three bronze stars.  Bud proudly and humbly served his country and asked for nothing in return.  After his discharge, Bud brought his parents to Devils Lake and established his home at 319 9th Avenue and would live there until his death.  Bud was united in marriage to his sweetheart, Mary Genevieve Scharf on February 17, 1948 in Devils Lake, ND.  They would live, work, raise their family together through the years.  Mary died on May 20, 2001 after 53 years of marriage. When coming to Devils Lake, Bud worked as a roofer for Gamble-Robinson. He then began a 40 year career as a bartender at the Dawson’s Bar (Al Dawson owner) and later called Mac’s Bar (owned by Mac McKay).  His illustrious career as a Bartender, earned him induction into the Bartender’s Hall of Fame.  After retiring, he still enjoyed some part-time bartending at the Night Owl Lounge. Bud was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Edmore and enjoyed membership in the VFW, Elks Lodge and the Lake Region Curling Rink. Bud was a devoted husband and father and worked hard to provide for his family. When able to enjoy time off, he was out hunting waterfowl and deer and fishing any chance he could.  He also enjoyed curling on a local men’s league for many years. Bud survived the hardship of war, but never let it defeat him. He was thankful for each day he was blessed with a loving family, good friends and good times. Bud is survived by his sons Byron (Judy) Carlson, Wayne (Mary Jane) Carlson and Dale (Helen) Carlson all of Devils Lake; grandchildren Kimberly (Meyer) DuPreez, Patricia Schwab (Rich Bryl), Angela (Travis) Sainsbury-Kelvin Carlson (Marcella Mudgett), Jennifer Carlson-Stefany (Jason) Fee, Jason (Candace) Carlson; twenty-two great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Dorothy Pung, Devils Lake and Eunice (Jerry) Blazer, Bismarck; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary; grandson Craig Dean Carlson; sisters Doris Surface, Ina Johnson and Charlotte Snow; in-laws Martin and Marie Scharf. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Tom Westcott officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team-Army. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Casket Bearers for Bud will be Jay Carlson, Travis Sainsbury, Kelvin Carlson, Jason Fee, Meyer DuPreez and Rich Bryl. Reading Scriptures will be Stefany Fee and music will be provided by the Carlson and Fee Great Grandchildren and Jean Aardahl.