Alice Carlin

Obituary

Alice Carlin, age 98, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Thursday (April 15th) at First Care Nursing Home in Fosston.
Alice Annette Hildahl was born on December 24, 1905 in Whitehall, Michigan to Reverend Knute O. and Caroline (Rogne) Hildahl. She was baptized and confirmed by her father, Rev. K.O. Hildahl, at Landstad (Hope) Lutheran Church in Fosston, Minnesota. Her mother, Caroline, passed away when Alice was a young girl and she was raised by her stepmother, Anna (Thompson) Hildahl. At the age of 1 1/2, she moved with her parents to Fosston when her father accepted a call at Landstad Lutheran Church along with the congregations of Brandsvold Lutheran Church in Brandsvold Township, Zion Lutheran Church in Eden Township, and Vernes Lutheran Church in Hill River Township. Alice began playing organ in Landstad Church at the age of 15 years and continued as church organist for the next 28 years. Alice grew up in Fosston, graduating from Fosston High School in 1924. She attended the Wesley Conservatory of Music in Grand Forks, studying voice and piano. Later, she attended the McPhail School of Music where she studied mainly vocal. She received her Teaching Certificate from Mayville State Teachers College in Mayville, North Dakota. She then taught rural school in Bottineau, North Dakota for one year, the Bergdahl School of rural Fosston and the Columbia Heights school near Lengby, Minnesota. She was united in marriage to Hilding V. Carlin on September 8, 1934 at Landstad Lutheran Church by her father. After their marriage, they resided in Fosston where they owned and operated Carlin Furniture and Funeral Home. Alice was active in the funeral business, working with her husband and sons, Gary and Mark. Hilding passed away on October 9, 1992. Alice gave piano lessons for many years. She was a life-long member of Landstad Lutheran Church which later became Hope Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School, Parochial School, she was Sunday School Superintendent, member of the church choir, and was church organist for many years. As church organist, she played for many church weddings and funerals. In later years, she attended Bemidji State Teachers College and taught music in the Gully School in Gully, Minnesota. She also took organ lessons at the McPhail School from Theodore Bergman. She was the last living member of the Class of 1924. She is survived by her three sons, Gary (Berniece) of Fosston, David (Ida) of East Grand Forks, MN, and Mark (Barbara) of Fosston; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; one sister, Mildred Bardshar of Thornton, CO; one brother, Frank (Doris) Hildahl of Brainerd, MN; and sister-in-law Millie Carlin of Cokato, MN; and nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Hilding. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday (April 18th) at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Paul Magelssen officiating. Interment will be in Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Saturday (April 17th) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements.