Joel Clare Karlson

Memorial service for Joel Karlson, age 67, of Minneapolis, will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11 AM at Milaca Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Mike Johnson officiating. A lunch will be served following the service. A private interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are preferred to the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. or the Courage Center. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca. Joel Clare Karlson was born January 8, 1945 to John A. and Harriet “Suzy” (Callander) Karlson in Minneapolis. He grew up in North Minneapolis and attended Minneapolis Schools, including Michael Dowling School for Crippled Children. At age 14, he could no longer attend Dowling and the sixth grade was the end of his formal education. Joel was a victim of Muscular Dystrophy and despite doctor’s predictions that he would not live past his teen years, Joel survived to see his 67th birthday this month. He was one of the first children to attend Camp Courage when it opened in Maple Lake, MN. He continued to attend Camp Courage well into his adult life. In 1972, his parents bought a 40 acre farm south east of Milaca along the Rum River. Joel was a familiar sight on the country roads, riding his three wheeler with his little dog, Tena. Eventually, he graduated to a 4 wheel Honda and a special seat on a snowmobile for winter. He was active on the C/B and known as the “Rum Runner”. In 1981, he moved to the Courage Center in Golden Valley to learn to live alone. In June of 1982, he moved to a handicapped apartment in South Minneapolis and was a few months short of living there 30 years with personal care attendants. He went from 3 hour per week to 10 ½ hours per day, seven days a week. Finally, his body was weakened by the Dystrophy. He only wanted to return home to spend his last days with his Mom. Joel died on January 20, 2012 at the Milaca Elim Home. He died just 15 minutes after he arrived and saw his mother. He passed away at 2:00 PM as he wanted it. He is survived by his mother, Harriet “Suzy” Karlson of Milaca; brother, Calvin (Sharon) Karlson of Statesville, NC; sisters, Cosette (Daniel) Morgan of Hibbing and Carol (Rick) Hutchins of Osburn, ID; special friend and P.C. A. for 18 years, Layla Molloy; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, John.