Arlo B. Carson

FOREST CITY - Arlo B. Carson, 95, of Forest City died Sunday (August 9, 2009) at Forest Plaza Assisted Living in Forest City.



Funeral services will be held 11 A.M., Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Forest City with Rev. Jerry Swanberg officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.



Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Tuesday at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church Foundation, Heritage Park Church, YMCA or to the donorís choice.



Arlo Bruce Carson, the son of Dr. George and Ethel (Dannatt) Carson, was born April 11, 1914 at Lake Mills. He attended school at Lake Mills, Thompson and Albert Lea where he graduated from high school in 1932. Arlo continued his education at Waldorf College. While in Albert Lea, he was active in Boy Scouts. During his youth, he spent time with his father on his veterinary calls and in his Lake Mills office. While living in Thompson, he began spending weekends and vacations at his grandfatherís farm near Leland, where he gained an appreciation and the skills for the farming life. In the spring of 1936, he accepted a job with the Albert Lea Seed House and later with Gulbranson Hardware in Albert Lea. On March 19, 1939, he married Joy Ione Lenning at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, after which they began farming east of Thompson. In the spring of 1949, they purchased a farm south of Thompson. During his five decades on the farm, Arlo raised hogs and cattle along with grain crops. He was the first farmer in the area to adopt narrow row crops. Arlo served on the Elevator, Locker and Winnebago Cooperative Telephone Boards. He joined the Winnebago Rural Electric Cooperative Board in 1957, served in all the offices of the board and was President at the time of his retirement. He was active in the Thompson scouting program when his sons were in Cub Scouts. He enjoyed flying his Piper J-3 Cub and later his Cessna 172, when work and weather permitted. In 1987, the Carson's sold part of their farm and built a home in Forest City. Arlo continued his public service after retirement because he enjoyed helping people. Arlo became active in the YMCA, delivered meals on wheels for several years, helped at the Food Bank and served on their board of directors, and served on the Manufacturers Bank and Trust Advisory Board. Arlo was on the Kum-Along Club Board for seven years. In 1996, the Club crowned Arlo and Joy as King and Queen and named Arlo as Volunteer of the Year in 1997. Both Forest City Lions Clubs awarded him their Citizen of the Year Award. Arlo and Joy were the Grand Marshals for the 2000 Puckerbrush Parade. In 2001, the Forest City Chamber of Commerce honored him with their Volunteer of the Year award. The Waldorf Boosters Club honored him as Super Fan of the Year for the 2006 to 2007 academic year. Arlo was a life member of the Heritage Park in Forest City and helped with its construction during their early years.



Arlo became a member of the United Methodist Church in Forest City in 1945 and served on various church committees and boards during most of these years. He was one of the original organizers of the Foundation Board.



Arlo is survived by his twin sons, Ronald of Ames and Robert (Maggie) of Springfield, IL; granddaughters, Cassandra (Jeremy) Cox of Raleigh, NC, Emily of Springfield, IL, Chloe of Ames and Sara of San Diego, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and sister, Veneta Hollett.