Betty Joy Carlson

BETTY JOY CARLSON

June 09, 1927 – June 20, 2025

Betty Joy Carlson, age 98, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025. Betty heard the gospel and accepted Christ at Central Free Church, in downtown Mpls. She was serious about her faith from a young age. Betty rested in God’s saving grace, and lived in the joy of knowing Jesus. She loved and studied God’s word and looked forward to Jesus’ return. She strove to serve Christ in everything she did.

Betty was born in Minneapolis to Leonard and Rose Fahlin. Raised in a loving, working-class family, she was the middle child between brothers Winston “Bud” and Paul. They all had jobs by junior high. As a family they would go camping, fishing, berry picking and look for wild flowers, making many special memories and sharing a love of the outdoors.

Betty started ice skating as a pre-teen and became a world class speed skater. She skated all over the country including, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Winnipeg, and the Twin Cities. She held the North American record in the 220 and 440 races (before they changed to meters) for a long time. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1945 and was elected homecoming queen her senior year.

In 1946 she met a young man recently home from World War II, Alfred “Pete” Carlson. They were married in 1948 and rented an upstairs apartment in a Richfield home. They were among some of the first families of First Evangelical Free Church in south Minneapolis in the early 1950s. Soon they were raising a family of four children – Cathie, David, Paul and Janilyn. Pete’s employment was with Northwestern Bell and the family was transferred several times. It was hard for Pete and Betty to leave their church, friends and family in Minnesota, however, through the years they made many new friends and wonderful memories in Omaha and Sioux Falls. Their children all graduated from high school in Omaha, NE.

Truth be told Betty never really unpacked during their years in Nebraska and South Dakota. She was a Minnesota lake girl to the bone. When Pete took an early retirement from NW Bell, they moved back to Minnesota. Pete worked with a new communications company and they settled back into life in Minnetonka. Betty started her antique business “Hidden Treasures” and rented a booth along side her daughters Cathie and Janilyn at the Buffalo Nickel until very recently. Pete and Betty also enjoyed rekindling activity at First Free – they loved their Sunday School Class and friends.

Betty always brightened a room with her enthusiasm and sweet disposition, constantly praising the Lord. She loved to open her home for all the family get-togethers. She was so supportive of her family. Her grandchildren have commented, “if you ever need an ego boost, just go talk to Grandma.”

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Rose Fahlin; husband Alfred Conrad “Pete” Carlson; brothers, Winston (Joan) Fahlin; Paul Fahlin; and son-in-law, Charles Paxson. She is survived by sister-in-law, Joyce Fahlin; four children - Cathleen Paxson, David (Janet) Carlson, Paul (Deborah) Carlson, Janilyn (Al) Velasco; 12 grandchildren - Jennifer (Al) Larson, Jamie Ruth, Katherine (David) Paull, Benjamin (Katie) Paxson, Hannah (Nathan) Holm, Samuel (Veronica) Carlson, Emma Carlson, Caleb (Katherine) Carlson, Isaac Velasco, Matthew (Jae) Velasco, Jack (Rachel) Velasco, Bethany (Isaac) Vincent; 17 great-grandchildren, Addison Rose Paxson, Elizabeth Joy Paull, Ethan David Paull, Isaiah (Annie) Colman, Josiah (Lindsey) Colman, Asa Colman, Levi Colman, Joshua Larson, Luke Larson, Grace Larson, Hannah Larson, Lisbet Holm, Elin Holm, Britta Holm, Sina Holm, Karlson Holm, Lily Velasco; first great-great grandchild to be born to Josiah (Lindsey) Colman in July. Many nieces, nephews and friends.