Leland "Lee" Carlson

Leland Wayne Carlson, (Lee) 76, of Eaton, CO, entered his eternal home in Heaven, to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, Aug 12, 2010, after a short courageous battle with melanoma while at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. He was born Oct. 7, 1933, on the home place to Albin B. Carlson and Esther M. (Anderson) Carlson of rural Eaton. Lee grew up on the family farm southwest of Eaton. He graduated from Eaton High School where he was active in FFA, National Honor Society, school government, and sports. He went to college at Colorado State University receiving a degree in Agriculture. In the FFA program, Lee received the DeKalb Award, State Farmer and American Farmer FFA Degrees, and was the State President of the Colorado organization in 1950-51. He was one of two members to be chosen from the United States to represent the FFA in Great Britain. He was on judging teams in high school and while at college. The Great Western Sugar Company selected eight growers in Northern Colorado based on the average tonnage of sugar beets harvested from a specially selected 10 acres and growing them with a minimum amount of field labor. Lee was the recipient in 1968. While at CSU, Lee was active in student government, serving as student body President, was a member of the Alpha Zeta Ag fraternity and was a member of the Lancers, an honorary group of outstanding Sophmores. He was a member of the Eaton Pioneer Society and the Swedish Heritage Society of Northern Colorado. Lee was one of the three chairmen of the building committee for the first construction at the present site of the Evangelical Free Church of Eaton. He was a third generation member of the church succeeding his parents and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Anderson. His paternal grandparents, Charles and Alida Carlson were early pioneers in the Prospect Valley, Greeley, and Eaton farming areas. While Lee was at CSU he was in the ROTC program and served in active duty in Aberdeen, MD and the reserves in Fort Collins. Following his active duty he joined his father on the family farm. Lee and his family stayed on the farm until 1991 when he began working for the USDA in CA and NV. He and his wife moved back to CO in 2004. Lee enjoyed listening to his wife sing, attending his family’s music and sport activities, supporting his community, and serving on various church boards and committees. Lee is survived by his wife Betty (Day), sons Rod (Kari) of Clear Lake, IA, Timothy (Heidi) of Ault, Barry (Dena) of Windsor, daughters Jani (Gary) Bothun of Denair, CA, and Cheri (Todd) Garretson of Eaton, fifteen grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren, and one sister Marilyn Shouse, many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Charles Wendell, James Wallace, and William Albin (Bill); one sister, Alberta Marie and one grandson Tyson Michael Garretson. Viewing will be held Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010 at the Evangelical Free Church 1325 3rd Street in Eaton from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at the Eaton Cemetery with the memorial service to follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church of Eaton. Memorial gifts may be made to Evangelical Free Church of Eaton in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.

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Leland "Lee" Carlson

October 7, 1933 - August 12, 2010