James E. Carlson, 87, of Axtell, Kan., died July 20, 2019 at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville, Kan.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 23, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 24 at the Axtell United Methodist Church.  Pastor Janelle Knowles will officiate.

The pallbearers will be James Kroeger, Justin Kroeger, Jordan Kroeger, Ethan Scheele, Rick Strathman and Roger Strathman.

Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Axtell.

James was born January 31, 1932 at Axtell to Oscar and Mary (Allen) Carlson.  In 1950, he graduated from Axtell High School.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

On June 2, 1957, he married Patricia “Patty” Pletcher.

James was a lifelong farmer and rancher.  He raised Hereford cattle and enjoyed International tractors.  After retiring, he would drive around looking at crops, visit with the renters and watch wildlife through the kitchen window.  He enjoyed vacationing in Branson and attending shows, especially the Presley’s.  Going to breakfast at the restaurant with his wife was the highlight of his day.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert Carlson; daughter, Janyce Milner; brothers, Gene and Ivan Carlson; and sister-in-law, Sharon Clark.

Survivors include his wife, Patty; daughters, Jeanne (Roger) Jacobson and Judy (Phil) Zimmerling, all of Axtell; grandchildren, Rhonda Jacobson, Littleton, Colo., James (Sara) Kroeger, Axtell, Justin (Makenzie) Kroeger, Axtell, Jordan Kroeger, Humboldt, Neb., Sheela (Ethan) Scheele, Linn, Kan., and Rachel Musil, Marysville; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Elmer (Nadine) Carlson, Yuma, Ariz.; sister, June McMasters, Florida; sisters-in-laws, Jan (Jack) Carlson, Manhattan, Kan., and Rebeca Carlson, Salina, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home.