Signe L. Carlson, 87, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018. at Primrose Independent Living in Austin.

Signe Lauretta Larsen was born to the Rev. Ulrik and Helen Larsen in Tracy, Minnesota. Her father baptized her on Nov. 9, 1930. At 11 years of age her family moved to Fosston where she was confirmed by her father on Aug. 27, 1944, at Cross Lake Lutheran Church in Fosston, Minnesota. Signe attended Bethany High School, junior college in Mankato, Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota.

Signe and Kenneth Carlson married on May 2, 1953, in Fosston. They lived in Austin until 1954, when they moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where Ken worked for Hormel Foods Corporation. Signe was active in the Webster County Republican Women, as well as the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She worked part-time for the U.S. Census Bureau from 1974 to 1989 as supervisory field representative in Iowa and Minnesota. Signe and her husband Ken lived in Fort Dodge for 23 years and raised their three children, Fred, Becky, and Phil. In 1977 she and her family moved back to Austin, when Ken was promoted to the Hormel corporate ofice. Signe again became very involved with church activities. She served for a time on the Editorial Commission of the Lutheran Witness Magazine, President’s Commission on Women for the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, the Board of Education, Congregational Services, Older Adult Ministry and Lutheran Education Volunteer Network.

She and Ken enjoyed their summers at their summer home on Leech Lake for many years. They were Associate Members of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Walker, Minnesota. They also enjoyed part of their winters at South Padre Island, Texas, for many years.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Kenneth Carlson; sons, Fred (Carol) Carlson of Rochester, Minnesota, and Phil (Michelle) Carlson of Lakeville, Minnesota; daughter, Becky (Jim Larkin) Carlson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Angie Carlson of Minneapolis, Stacy (Kris) Jeronimus of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Kelly (Zach) Polachek of Madison, Wisconsin,  Josh (Jessie) Carlson of Roseville, Minnesota, and Stephanie Carlson of San Francisco, California;  six great-grandchildren; brother, Dave (Carol) Larsen of Madison, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law , Betty of Tucson, Arizona, and Paula of Delafield, Wisconsin; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Signe is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Ulrik and Helen Larsen; brothers, Julius, Richard, Bin, Paul (Kathy), Norm, and Rolf (Lynne); sisters, Ruth (Lorence) Granum, and Margaret (Karl) Brandle.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor James Groleau officiating. There will be a visitation for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery.  Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.