Born: 14 April 1926 St Paul, MN
Married: 21 July 1956 Alexandria, Douglas Co, MN
Died: 24 Nov 2011 Eagan, MN
Parents: Erik and Ellen Carlson
Spouse: Eleanor Isackson
Erland Erick Carlson passed away peacefully at home November 24, 2011, at the age of 85. He was born April 14, 1926 on St. Paul’s Eastside. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erik and Ellen Carlson, and his aunt, Florence Reiner. Erland is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eleanor; daughters Lois (Tim) Anderson and Sue (Tim) Breher; grandchildren Nicholas (Colleen) Anderson, Alyssa Anderson, Nina and Julia Breher; and sister, Lorraine Carlson.
Erland attended Johnson High School in St. Paul and immediately upon graduation enlisted in the US Navy. After boot camp in Farrigut, Idaho, Erland was assigned as a gunner in the Pacific on the troop transport carriers Lexington and Butte. He received his discharge in 1946 and returned home and went to work as an auto partsman at Central Motors, a Studebaker dealership.
Erland reconnected with his home church, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran, St. Paul, and was deeply impressed by the spiritual commitment of many of his peers at the church. At the age of 24, he went to Bible Camp for the first time. The Holy Spirit worked in Erland’s heart and mind and he surrendered his life to the Lord at camp. “It was as if my life went from black and white to color,” Erland would often share in his testimony. The excitement of his new faith grew into a passion for the Gospel. Erland’s first contact with Trinity Lutheran was the Sunday evening Singspiration. Almost every week he would fill his car with friends and come to satisfy his hunger for learning God’s Word and his craving for Christian fellowship.
Erland’s intense desire for Biblical knowledge led him to the Minneapolis Lutheran Bible Institute. Soon it became evident to Erland that God had a call on his life and it was time to go college to prepare for full time ministry. His great enthusiasm propelled him through a degree in Sociology, at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, in just two and a half years. While at Augsburg, he worked at a St. Paul youth center and preached in country churches on Sundays. Erland took the Apostle Paul’s words from 2 Timothy 4:5 seriously, “do the work of an evangelist.” He loved to share the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.
In Autumn of 1954, Erland entered Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. He brought his passion to the seminary and engaged in numerous discussions with professors about the need and urgency to preach that faith is about life-change, not just knowledge.
The Summer of 1955, Erland attended Pastor’s Week at Mount Carmel Bible Camp in Alexandria, Minnesota, where Eleanor was one of the “singing waitresses.” When Erland returned to seminary in the fall, he told his best friend, “I’ve met the girl I’m going to marry.” A correspondence courtship continued through the year with Erland in his second year at Augustana and Eleanor in her second year at Minneapolis Lutheran Bible Institute. They were married July 21, 1956 in Alexandria, Minnesota.
Erland interned in Galesburg, Illinois at Trinity Lutheran Church, completed seminary and was ordained June of 1958. His excitement ran high as he accepted the call to begin a mission church in Escanaba, Michigan. He worked tirelessly and on October 19, 1958, Christ the King Lutheran Church was founded. In 1960, Erland was named Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Escanaba Junior Chamber of Commerce for his work with children and youth. He started a Christian coffee house at the Upper Peninsula State Fair; it’s success continued for years after his departure from Escanaba.
Erland’s calls and other positions took him and his family to: Grace and Red River Lutheran Parish, Hallock, MN; Children’s Memorial Lutheran, Kansas City, MO: VA Medical Center (Chaplain), Minneapolis, MN; First Lutheran (Interim Senior Pastor), White Bear Lake, MN; and Mount Carmel Lutheran, St. Paul, MN. Erland’s innovative ministry and passion inspired many to give their hearts to the Lord. His counsel and encouragement led to scores of Pastors, Missionaries, and Church leaders. Erland officially retired August 31, 1992 after three heart attacks that year.
Erland had numerous health challenges from September 2003 until his death at home November 24. He will be remembered by his ever present smile and his genuine love for people.
Interment will be at Trysil-Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery in Holmes City Township, MN