Harland Carlson

Harland Carlson, 85, of Eau Claire, died on Thursday March 20, 2025.

He was born in River Falls, WI. to Severt and Merle (Halberg) Carlson on September 21, 1939. He grew up on a dairy farm just outside of town, in Mann Valley. Harland attended the one-room Mann Valley Stone School House, located across from the family farm. Both he, and his brother Dwayne, were often tasked with going over to make sure the woodfire stove was lit before school on cold winter days. Harland was very active in 4-H as a youth and enjoyed showing jersey cattle and farm produce at the local county fair. He enjoyed a lot of the farm livestock, but he especially enjoyed his horse Lucky.

While agriculture had been the family business, it was music that would call to his soul. Harland played saxophone in many dance jazz groups during high school and he earned his Bachelor's Degree at UW-River Falls and Master's degree at the University of Minnesota - both in Music Education.

In 1962, he was hired as the band director at Central Junior High School in Eau Claire, WI. It was there that he met his future wife, Edna Mayer. They were married on March 21,1964, in a beautiful candle-light service at Grace Lutheran Church.

Harland continued to teach band in Eau Claire for 33 - years. He took great pride and special interest in the lives of, "my band kids". It was often said he couldn't go on vacation in the US (even as far away as Tope, AK) without someone coming up and saying, "Mr. Carlson!!"

During their 61 years of marriage, many wonderful family-time memories were created on the St Croix River and then following retirement on Little Lake Wissota and the Rio Grande Valley when they became Winter Texans. Other family memories included many family picnics, Scandinavian Christmas's (his favorite holiday of the year). Harland was an avid Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Golden Gopher fan. For the rest of his life, Edna remained his "best friend", "golf-partner", "motorhome co-pilot" and the "love of his life".

Harland is survived by his wife Edna, son Jeff (Renee), daughter Yolanda (Rod); his brother's children, David, Dale (Micki) Carlson and niece Linda (Jim) Walsh; and of course, the sparkles of his eyes, grandchildren Jasha, Brooklyn (Anna), Christopher, Carissa (Andrew), Casey (Alex) and Nicholas. He also had two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Journey.

Harland was preceded in death by his parents, son Jonathan and brother and sister-in-law Dwayne (Jeannine) Carlson.

Edna and the family would like to extend a very special thank you to the Marshfield Cancer Center team and to the Marshfield Medical System of doctors and nurses. Harland always spoke so very fondly of you all.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 601 Fall St., Eau Claire with Pastor Jeff Carlson officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior at the church and from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway (Southside of US 12). Private burial will take place at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire.

Edna requests that any donations be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 601 Fall St., Eau Clarie, WI 54703 or to the local Multiple Sclerosis Society or https://www.mstakecharge.org/home.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.