A job promotion in March 1974 took our family to Rochester.  Our church was St Pius and it was there I met the Carlson family.  Harold and I had much in common.  We lived and died sports.  I became a Lourdes fan and Harold and I went to many of the football and basketball games.  Bernie and Ed both played for Lourdes and eventually my oldest son Mark also played for Mr. Nigon.  At some point Harold stopped going to the games as he felt he brought bad karma to the team.  Instead he listened on the radio which I never quite understood.  Harold and I went to Lourdes basketball games, sat right on the sidelines and Harold was unmerciful to the refs as they passed by our seats.  He loved to rag on them to a point where I stopped going.  

Harold and I played on the St. Pius softball team for years.  We seldom lost unless to Grace Lutheran who brought in ringers from other towns.  Quite a rivalry.  We had some interesting times with Gene who umped all the church games.  Charlie my first coach would harass Gene until he got thrown out of the game.  Wink our first basemen was a head case and played first base.  One time I fielded a ball (shortstop) and threw it to first only to find that Wink was at home plate talking to Gene.  It was a perfect throw that carried over first and hit a truck parked behind first putting out the window.  I felt bad for the owner but I did not have to pay for the window.  I might add that after the game we would sit in the parking lot and drink beer.  Harold liked his beer.

Harold and I would meet 3-4 times a week for coffee at Jimmy's.  There we would discuss the sport of the day.  I hated his Dodgers and he hated my Yankees.  Great times.  I had the utmost respect for Harold.  All his kids went to Catholic schools which was a a big commitment.  I will always appreciate our times together.  Great family-great guy.  RIP old friend.

Another GREAT ONE enters HEAVEN! As long time St. Pius X parishioners Becky and I recall our kids "growing up" with Harold and Jeanette and their kids. Jim along with Donna Kuhlman got reconnected with Harold a few months ago when we started visiting and administering the Holy Eucharist to H and any family members visiting with him.

It was great reminiscing and getting caught up to date with Harold AND Barbara, Bernie, Linda, Monica, Vince, et al.  

Sooner or later our dialogue would focus on ancient Major League baseball teams and players and game results of slightly less ancient Rochester softball teams we played on. I do recall playing with and against Bernie and Eddie. Harold reminded me of our Rochester softball game experiences! I recalled the time Harold was pitching and tried to stab (?) a line drive hit back at him. A finger was not functional for quite some time afterwards.

I did recall many of the late 1950s and all 1960 World Series' games Harold mentioned and having had baseball cards of some of the players we discussed. All this - quite impressive, coming from a ... "tax man!" Our in-home visits always ended up on a high note! 

A salute to Harry and celebrating with family members, a life well-lived!!!

Carlson family, I am saddened by hearing the passing of your father. He was a good man and dad.  I will always remember when I was a kid,  the times he would come over to watch the Vikings or twins game on Sunday afternoon, and have a six pack(maybe two) he would bring to share with my dad. I hope you all are doing ok throughout his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. 

Nick Kauphusman 

Carlson Family,

Harold was a good and just soul and Wisdom tells us that the "Souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them."  Harold was good man, husband, and father.  May eternal rest grant unto Harold and let perpetual light shine upon him.  God bless you and know of my prayers.  

Fr. Russell Scepaniak

I retired from Broadwater agency in September, but Harold has always been my number one favorite client!! The one thing I will always remember with Harold, besides being extremely nice and us having wonderful conversations together is his extremely dirty glasses that I would clean every time he came in I would joke with him and ask him how he could drive with such dirty glasses,????.  Harold will be missed, but finally remembered in my heart

I retired from Broadwater agency in September, but Harold has always been my number one favorite client!! The one thing I will always remember with Harold, besides being extremely nice and us having wonderful conversations together is his extremely dirty glasses that I would clean every time he came in I would joke with him and ask him how he could drive with such dirty glasses,????.  Harold will be missed, but finally remembered in my heart

To the Carson Family

so sorry for the lost of your Beloved Father, Grandfather and Friend. The Children reflect the wisdom granted to by the Parents who has raise them by God’s Law. Eternal Rest Granted onto Harold, May his Soul and all the Souls of the Faithfully Departed Rest in Peace.

if you have Pray card for your Dad’s funeral I can get one on put on our refrigerator next to your Mother’s Pray card

God Bless You All

Bob & Sharyn

Condolences to Bernie, Ed, and the rest of the Carlson clan.  Although I did not know Harold, in reading his obit it was very obvious he was loved and cherished by the family he helped raise as well as others who came to know him.  He has "been called home" but you can be sure he will always be with you in spirit.  RIP, Harold.

Our Condolences to the entire Carlson family.  I have so many fond memories of Harold while growing up with my friend Vin. 
Harold (or “Big Harold” as we respectfully referred to him) was a man to be respected, and I did.  
He was a man of conviction, and I believe was born with a calculator in his mind.  I remember Harold driving us to hockey, and Vin asking him to compute what most would consider astronomical numbers in his head, and to my astonishment Harold would recite the answers effortlessly.  

Harold was a strong supporter of our athletic teams as we were growing up, and I know he truly cared about us doing our best (and winning)! 

On behalf of the entire Lindberg family, we share our deepest sympathy and pray for peace and comfort for the Carlson’s.

- Brett and Chrissy Lindberg

Dear family of Harold!

I did not know your father bur he must have been an awesome father since his daughters Linda and Monica are exceptional women of God! In prayers for him and family! May he rest in peace. Your friend in Christ, Marilyn Baker 

To my cousins and their family,

My deepest sympathy and love as you remember and honor your  father ,my Uncle Harold's life.  His legacy as a man, husband, father and grandfather shows in the loving family he and Aunt Jeanette raised. I have a few private memories with Uncle Harold,less than I would have liked. But they will always be precious to me. Uncle Harold was the same as my dad described their father, Clarence. A tower of strength, a man to be trusted and held in great regards. A man who loved God,his family and his country. Uncle Harold  was exactly like his father and brother.I wish I had made more time with him. I love you Uncle Harold.  To my cousins, you were blessed to have your dad and mom, I'm sorry they are both gone now,but I believe we all will be together in heaven as believers in Jesus.  I pray you all stand strong for each other as you gather to say goodbye,and in the years to come. 

Much love,

Donna Jo

Condolences to Barbara and all of the family. I met Harold briefly a few years ago. A wonderful man. I believe his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has taken him by the hand and walking with him to the throne of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.