Patty Carlson

Patty Carlson, age 76, of Gully, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 28^th, at her daughter’s home in Sartell, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 15^th, at Lund Lutheran Church in Gully with Dawn Hanson officiating. Interment will be in Lund Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday, April 14^th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Saturday (15^th) at the church in Gully. The service will be recorded and available to view on the Carlin website later in the day Saturday. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Patricia “Patty” was born on April 20, 1946, in Fosston, MN to Bud and Pearl Watne. She was baptized and confirmed at Lund Lutheran Church in Gully, MN. She grew up on a farm north of Gully and graduated from Gonvick High School.

After graduation, she moved to Anoka, MN where she met and was united in marriage to Ed Nicolay. From this union, John, Michelle, and Pam were born. Following this time, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where she attended and graduated beauty school. They later divorced.

In 1974, she returned home to Gully, MN. On August 17^th, 1974, she was united in marriage to her high-school sweetheart, David Carlson. They began their life together living in Gully, along with Michelle and Pam. Later, from this union, Darrin “Punky” was born.

Patty had a special talent with all types of hand work. She worked as a beautician in several locations, until she eventually opened her own beauty shop at the Gully Mall. She was an expert baker, making cakes for all occasions, especially wedding and birthday cakes. Along with her talent for baking, she enjoyed collecting cookbooks. She had a knack for putting together plastic flower arrangements. She and her good friend Judy Seyller would spend several hours together quilting and sewing blankets for all in the basement of the Gully Mall. She also enjoyed making “tie” blankets with her daughter, Pam, for the confirmation graduates at the Lund Lutheran Church.

Patty loved old country music and dancing. A few of her favorite things to do were to attend the Midwest Country Show in Sandstone and dance in Trail on Sunday nights. She especially enjoyed a good game of solitaire with the help of her grandson, Jace. She was an active Auxiliary member of Post 603, bringing her famous potato salad to the annual Memorial Day service. Patty was a life-long member of Lund Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for several years and later became the president of Ladies Aide. In the summer of 2022, Patty and David were named the Grand Marshalls of Gully Days. Patty was always more than willing to lend a helping hand to all, and she was the first to send a thank-you note, as she would say, “You need to let them know you appreciate them.”

Patty was the best wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Her grandkids will always treasure the memories spent eating lunch at the Gully Café, playing board and card games, her endless supply of special treats, including cherry pull n’ peel licorice, and making potato klub and lefse. Her hands were rarely empty between the grandkids, great grandkids, and the grand dogs. She valued the time spent with her grandchildren the most.

Patty battled multiple debilitating health conditions, but she never let it slow her down (thanks to her chauffeur, David) and always kept that sparkle in her eye (especially when going to Walmart and Dollar Tree).

She is survived by her husband, David Carlson, daughters, Pam Dyrdahl, Michelle (Tim) Nordlund, and son, John (Andrea) Nicolay, grandchildren, Ashley (Seth) Schmitz, Brittany (Nick) Corbett, Chance Dyrdahl & Brittney, Ty Dyrdahl, Jace Dyrdahl, Keaton Glynn, Tanner (Mariah) Nordlund, Trever (Katrina) Nordlund, Tate Nordlund, Michayla Nordlund, Lucas (Karlee) Nicolay, Kendra Nicolay, and Colton Nicolay, great-grandkids, Landry Schmitz, Remi Corbett, baby girl Corbett due June 2023, Kinsley Dyrdahl, Carson Ramsrud, Evelyn Nordlund, baby Nordlund due October 2023, sister, Shirley (Warren) Solheim, sister- in-law, Dianne Watne, sister-in-law Nancy (Richard) Lee, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Darrin “Punky” Carlson, parents,  Pearl and Bud Watne, in-laws, Irene and Bennie Carlson, sister, Beverly, brothers, Gary and Ole Watne, brother-in-law, Brian Carlson, nephews, Patrick Lee and Wayne Solheim, and great-niece, Mari Vasend.

Blessed be her memory.