VeeAnn Carlson, 75, Spring Valley

VeeAnn M. Carlson, 75, died on Wednesday (July 27, 2016) of natural causes at Spring Valley Senior Living, where she had been a resident since October of last year.  She was a long-time rural Rochester resident.

VeeAnn Marsha Herrick was born on February 8, 1941 in Kiester, Minn., to Homer and Carmen (Folken) Herrick. She grew up on the family farm in rural Kiester and attended school there until 1957 when her family moved to Dodge Center. She graduated from Dodge Center High School in 1959.  

VeeAnn was married on September 11, 1959 in Kiester, Minn. to Curtis E. Carlson. The couple lived in Rochester for a short time before building a home in rural Rochester where they raised their sons and lived for many years. VeeAnn was a homemaker and assisted her husband Curt, who co-owned and operated General Trading Company, now known as CarQuest Auto Parts, for many successful years in Rochester. 

Mr. Carlson died on Feb. 4, 1999, and the business was sold. VeeAnn was also employed for several years with Family Services, part of United Way in Rochester, and found it very rewarding to help senior citizens stay in their homes as long as possible. She was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. Due to health issues, she moved to Meadow Lakes Senior Living in Rochester in 2011. 

VeeAnn liked making people laugh with her stories and jokes. She and Curt very much enjoyed country living, everything from lawn care to watching wildlife. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren and new great-grandson.

VeeAnn is survived by two sons; Timothy (Els) Carlson of Eemnes, Netherlands and Todd (Roxanne) Carlson of Grand Meadow; seven grandchildren: Dane, Joshua, Jasmin and Kai Carlson of Eemnes, Netherlands, Rebecca (Brandon) Nelson of Stewartville, Tony Carlson of Rochester and Tyler Carlson of Grand Meadow; one great-grandson: Liam Curtis Nelson of Stewartville; two brothers, Ronald (Bonnie) Herrick of Kasson and Dallas (Sharyl) Herrick of Hayfield; two sisters, Sharon (Ray) Bidne of Bricelyn and Janeen (Fred) Gries of Bloomington; one sister-in-law; Clare Thorwick-Herrick of White Bear Lake and many nieces/nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Curtis, son Troy (April 29, 2000), her parents and three brothers: Gene, Jerry and Homer Jr. Herrick, an infant brother. 

The funeral service for VeeAnn M. Carlson was held Aug. 1, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville.  A private family burial service will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville at a later date. 

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com.