Wayne Carlson was born on November 19, 1946, in Emmetsburg, Iowa to Raymond and Doris (Miller) Carlson. He was baptized in Emmetsburg and later confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Algona, Iowa. Wayne received his early education in Emmetsburg and later graduated from Algona High School in Algona, Iowa. On May 30, 1966, Wayne was united in marriage to Linda Harmon at the Lutheran church in Humboldt, Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in March of 1966. He served in Vietnam from 1967-1968. During Wayne's time in the Army they were stationed in Missouri, Maryland and Washington State. He was honorably discharged in 1969 and returned to Iowa and worked in the grocery business. In 1977 Wayne and Linda along with their three children Kyle, Tiffany and Kurt moved to Windom, Minnesota. He was employed with Hy-vee Foods for a total of 43 years as the Assistant Store Director, retiring in November of 2011. After retiring, Wayne continued to live in Windom with his wife, Linda. Recently, Wayne had some health seatbacks and was placed in hospice care at the Windom Area Hospital where he passed away on Saturday evening, February 4, 2017, at the age of 70 years. Wayne was a longtime member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom. He also was a member of Southwestern Minnesota Bass Casters and was instrumental in starting the gun and knife show in Windom. Wayne also was a member of Windom's Karz & Trux. Wayne loved his job with Hy-Vee, fishing, driving his Corvette, spending time with his grandchildren, talking with people and finding out all about them. He loved people! Wayne is survived by his wife of fifty-years, Linda Carlson of Windom; his three children, Kyle (Diane) Carlson of Spicer; Tiffany Carlson of Windom; Kurt Carlson of Windom; mother, Doris Sheer of Windom; two grandchildren, Vincent Menter and Lee (Sandra) Schroeder; three great-grandchildren; Logan, Kaylee and Layla Schroeder; one niece and several nephews; and also his beloved dog, Teddy Bear. Wayne is preceded in death by father, Raymond Carlson. Blessed be the memory of Wayne Carlson.