Carlton F. Levorsen, age 79, of Elgin, North Dakota, passed away at his home Saturday morning, October 9, 2010.


Services for Carlton will be held October 14, 2010 at Hope Congregational Church, Elgin, ND with Pastor Paul Ferrie officiating at 10:00 a.m. with interment following the service at Prairie View Cemetery in Heil, ND. Visitation will be held at Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. A family service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home.


Carlton was born in Fosston, Minnesota, December 23, 1930, to Carl O. and Irene (Marsche Clark) Levorsen. He grew up in the Fort Rice Area and moved with his family to Elgin in 1935, when his father began banking in the area.


He was united in marriage on August 22, 1954 to Harriet Ketterling at the Grace Reformed Church in Heil, ND. Their five children, Cliffton, Kirsten, Eric, Aaron and Karyn have been blessed to have Carlton & Harriet as parents.


In his youth, he especially enjoyed being part of the Elgin High School 6 man football team which became conference champs. He also enjoyed participating in the Elgin FFA Chapter. In 1946, Carlton became the youngest person in ND to secure his pilot's license at the age of 16. He spent several years operating the Elgin movie theatre.


After many years of farming, Carlton followed in his father's footsteps and began his bank career in 1965 with Farmers State Bank in Elgin. He enjoyed serving the farmers and community in the banking business for 41 years. In addition to banking, he was a member of the Elgin Lions Club, Dollars for Scholars, Jacobson Memorial Hospital Board & Foundation Board, Elgin Alumni Association, Grant County Medical and Dental, Commercial Club and Flasher Gun Club. His heart was in service to the community.


One of his favorite pastimes was flying his airplanes, buzzing the area and surprising unsuspecting people. He enjoyed his last flight on Labor Day weekend. He also found pleasure in hunting prairie dogs, deer, pheasant and turkeys. Butchering with family and friends brought him much joy along with creating his special recipes. He was great at creating useful gadgets out of his spare treasured pile of parts.


He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Harriet, three sons, Cliffton (Sandy), Eric (Patti), and Aaron (Julie); two daughters, Kirsten (Eric) and Karyn; thirteen grandchildren, Alicia (Brandon), Christopher, Dayn, Bryce, Connor, Cienna, Kaci, Briana, Devynn, Alexa, Aidan, Kara and Brittin; and two great grandchildren, Annika and Blake, his brother-in-law, Anthony Leone and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Darlene.


Memorials in Carlton's honor can be given to the Jacobsen Memorial Hospital Foundation