The funeral for Marge and Ralph Carlson will be Saturday, Aug. 2, at noon at the Andrew Cemetery in Friend.
Marge and Ralph were both born in Saline County. Marjorie "Marge" Carlson, 93, passed away Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Ralph “Swede” Carlson, 98, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.
Marge was born in Crete to Adolph and Emily (Petrik) Horky. She graduated from Crete High School in 1945. Ralph was born a couple of miles northeast of Friend on a farm to Hjalmar and Helen (Henry) Carlson. In his younger years, he helped work the land with his father. He graduated from Friend High School in 1944.
They enjoyed many dances with friends at the Saline Center, Tabor Hall and in Milford. Ralph was an honor guard in the army for General MacArthur in Japan. Shortly after the war, they married in 1948 and made their home in Friend. They lived over Nora and Dine’s liquor store on Maple Street for a brief period. Their first home was on Fifth Street while Ralph worked downtown at the Standard Oil Station with his brother, Don. Marge commuted to Crete and worked for the mayor.
Soon after, Ralph became a Nebraska Highway Patrolman for a couple of years and then became a Standard Oil manager. They moved to Vinton and later to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they worked and enjoyed life until their passing. Ralph's parents lived on Main Street which was the focus for many happy family reunions and Sunday dinners throughout the years.
Marge and Ralph were preceded in death by their parents, Adolph and Emily (Petrik) Horky and Hjalmar and Helen (Henry) Carlson; brother, Ray Horky; brother, Don Carlson; son-in-law, Arnie Ekberg; brother-in-law, Bill Warner; sisters-in-law, LaVelle Carlson and Patrica Horky; and many aunts and uncles.
They are survived by daughter, Cynthia Ekberg; son, Bruce Carlson; grandchildren, Lara (Todd) Schissel, Sara Collins, Rachel Collins (Drew), Darren (Jennifer) Ekberg, Jake Carlson, Matthew Carlson; great-grandchildren, Samantha, Keenan (Eliyah), Jacob, Tate, Thea, Cora, Celia; great-great-grandchild, Kase; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Warner; niece Connie (Guy) Stewart; nephew Brad Horky, and extended relatives.
