Carlson, Erland 'Swede' Q.

Erland “Swede” Q. Carlson, 87, of Delaware, died Thursday, July 15, 2010, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Funeral services: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the United Methodist Church in Delhi by the Rev. Roger Henry. Visitation: 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Clifton-Murdoch Funeral Home in Earlville and one hour before services Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Delhi.

Erland was born Aug. 13, 1922, to Erik and Elma (Aldrich) Carlson, in rural Manchester. He attended rural area country schools, graduating from Delhi High School in 1940. On May 28, 1941, Swede was united in marriage to Maryella Duart in McGregor. They lived in Delaware their entire married life.

Erland served three years with the U.S. Army during World War II with the 32nd Field Hospital Unit as a medic. He drove an ambulance and served in Africa, New Guinea, Italy, and Japan from 1942 to 1945. After discharge from the service, Erland returned to Delaware, where he worked on various farms, rock quarries, and drove stock truck for Harry Sands. In 1954, he became a Mobil Gas tank wagon driver until 1979. In 1980, he began working at Carl's Feed Store until 1993. Swede wrote the Delaware column for the Manchester Press after Maryella's passing.

Erland was a member of the Delhi United Methodist Church and Delhi American Legion Post 160. He enjoyed visiting with people, playing cards and had a love of animals, especially his cats.

Erland is survived by three children, Ronnie (Carol) Carlson of Cedar Rapids and Dawn (Jerry) Keenan and Royce (Cathy) Carlson, both of Manchester; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Billie (Peggy) Duart of Strawberry Point; and 16 nieces and nephews.

Erland was preceded in death by his wife, Maryella; his parents, Erik and Elma Carlson; two sisters, Willa Orcutt and Aimee Lee; and an infant grandson.

An Erland Carlson Memorial Fund has been established in lieu of flowers.

Please sign the online guest book for Swede at under obituaries.