Edward Frank Carlson, 86, died Thursday, February 5, 2009, at Allen County Hospital, Iola.

He was born Aug. 26, 1922, on the family farm west of Elsmore to Oscar Frank and Signild Marie Nielson Carlson. He attended Old Elsmore and Skyrocket Grade Schools.

He married Virginia Lee Lipsett. She died in 1977.

He moved to Lindsborg in 1977 and married Rosalie Larson Shields on Nov. 10, 1978. She died on Feb. 6, 2001.

He moved to Iola from Lindsborg in October 2003 to make his home.

He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, and attended the Elsmore United Methodist Church. He was a 55-year member and past master of the Virginia Masonic Lodge 315 in Savonburg. He was also a member of the Iron Workers Union, Wichita, and the Lindsborg Lion’s Club.

Survivors include a brother, Earl Carlson, Elsmore; two sisters, Evalyn Passig, Chanute, and Elaine Dunlap, Bolivar, Mo.; three stepchildren and their spouses, Dennis Shields, Lindsborg, Don and Sharon Shields, Shawnee Mission, and Darlene and Jim Otis, Hutchinson; seven step grandchildren; and nine step great-grandchildren; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Carlson; and three sisters, Elsie Swenson, Esther Bacon and Ellen Siders.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. today at the Elsmore United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Elsmore Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola.

Contributions to Elsmore United Methodist Church or Virginia Lodge 315 may be made in care of the funeral home.