Idaho State Journal, 06/27/09


PARIS — Garth F. Carlsen, 76, of Paris, Idaho, passed away on June 24, 2009, in Logan, Utah. Garth was born February 28, 1933, in Sharon, Idaho, to Chris and Maud Matthews Carlsen. He had three brothers and one sister, Dennis (Edith), Providence, Utah, Beryl (Delbert) Pugmire, Montpelier, Idaho, Roger (Pat), Simi Valley, California, and Randy (Marlyn), Sharon, Idaho.
Garth married his high school sweetheart, Elaine (Eborn) in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 28, 1951. They had enjoyed 57 wonderful years together. They raised six children, in Paris, Idaho, and have 34 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the many times getting together, especially the Fourth of July gatherings in Paris. Garth loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping with Mom and the week with the boys at deer camp. They also owned and operated the Phillips 66 for 35 years.
Garth was raised on a ranch in Sharon. He loved to help on the farm doing regular farm duties such as milking cows, hauling hay and working with the sheep.
Garth was very generous to the people of the valley. He would load up his wife plus his sons and get three or four loads of wood a day to give to others in the community who needed it.
Besides his gas station keeping him busy, he also drove school bus for 17 years, then went to work at Monsanto in 1977, and retired in 1995.
Garth is survived by his wife, Elaine; and his children, Doug (Tanja), Ra-Nae (Ralph) Smith, Steve (Grace), Stacey (Bart) Kelsey, Rusty (Kim), and Brandon (Lori); and all 68 grandchildren. Garth was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Maud, his brothers, Roger, Randy and his sister, Beryl.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 29 at noon in the Paris Stake Center. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday evening at Matthews Mortuary in Montpelier from 6 to 8 p.m., and at the church in Paris on Monday from 10 until 11:45 a.m. The interment will be in the Paris Cemetery.