Wally and Irene Carlson 2013 Community Ambassadors

Each year since 2000, as part of the Celebration of the Lakes festivities, the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce selects a Community Ambassador. The individual or family selected to fill the role of Community Ambassador has made a significant contribution to the quality of life and preservation of the heritage within our community. Wally and Irene Carlson and their family-owned business, Wally Carlson & Sons in Lindstrom, will be recognized as Community Ambassadors at the Celebration of the Lakes. Wally Carlson & Sons, Inc. has served the Chisago Lakes Area for more than 55 years. The Carlson family has a long history of outstanding commitment and service to this community. Wally Carlson learned about hard work at a young age, as one of 10 children raised on a farm near Scandia. He married Irene Rydeen in 1944, and their children, Gloria (Klinefelter), Wade, James and Timothy were raised in Marine on St. Croix. Wally farmed with his brother in the early years of their marriage, and then began working as a bulk driver for Standard Oil Company.

He became the Standard Oil agent in Marine on St. Croix in 1953. In 1957, he became a bulk fuel agent with Standard Oil in the Chisago Lakes area. The bulk plant at that time was located on the corner of Elm Street and St. Croix Ave. (Highway 8). Wally basically started by delivering bulk fuels to homes, farmers, contractors, and four small gas stations. In 1969, the Carlson’s purchased Dave’s Lakeside TV, and moved the office from their home in Marine on St. Croix to Lindstrom. In 1973, Wally and Irene built a new home and moved to Lindstrom. In 1976, they sold the bulk plant property to St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. They purchased land from Marlene Smith and built a new office and underground bulk plant at their present site on Ackerson and Highway 8. That same year, the Carlson’s purchased the car wash adjacent to their property, built a retail station and expanded their facilities. In 1975, Wally and Irene had incorporated the business with their two youngest sons, Jim and Tim. In 1977, their son Wade joined the business. They currently sell the BP brand of fuel after being Standard Oil and then Amoco for many years. They have also expanded their services to include a Heating & Air Conditioning service and Farm Chemicals. As the needs of their customers were changing, Carlson’s remodeled their station to a convenience store concept and added an Automatic and Manual Car Wash and an Auto Service & Repair Center.

They also expanded their bulk business to include Western Wisconsin in addition to East Central Minnesota. Irene was the bookkeeper for the business for many years, until Wade joined the business. Wade serves as General Manager, Tim is a mechanic in the service and repair center, Jim manages the Lawn Service Business and is a bulk driver, and Tim’s son-in-law, Wardell Haywood, is also a mechanic. They are part of the 13 full-time and seven part-time employee “family”, and together they have made Wally Carlson & Sons a well-respected, award-winning company. Wally Carlson & Sons has always had a philosophy of serving their customers with quality products, competitive pricing, and excellent service. They excel at developing customer relationships and being involved in the community. The family members have served on numerous local boards and committees throughout the years, and have been financially supportive of many different organizations in the area. Wally served on the Lindstrom City Council for 16 years (1974 -1990). Wally & Irene have been active members of Chisago Lake Lutheran Church since the 1960’s. Wally proudly served on the Parmly Board of Directors for 19 years, and he and Irene received a “Distinguished Volunteer” award as members of Parmly’s Heritage Circle. They have lived through most of the development and expansion of the Parmly campus. Wally’s father and Irene’s mother were both Parmly residents, and they have a passion for sustaining the quality of service there. Wade and his wife Roxy, and Jim Carlson live in Lindstrom. Tim and his wife Nancy live in Marine on St. Croix, in a home his parents bought when Tim was a young boy.

The Carlsons are a remarkable family, with close bonds that have been nurtured by Wally and Irene, and a work ethic and community-mindedness passed down through the generations. Wade served on the Chisago Lakes School Board for 13 years, and the Carlsons have worked with Chisago Lakes Schools in hiring many students. In most cases this is the first regular job for these students, and they have helped young people develop skills that will serve them well into the future. The Carlsons feel that they have been blessed to be a part of this community, and believe that their business has been successful because of faith, family and friends. A faith in God who gives us wisdom, their immediate family and a family of employees who really have a passion for what they do, and a large group of friends with relationships that are invaluable to them.

Wally Carlson’s has a customer loyalty program which not only helps the customer with a rebate, but also donates monies to a non-profit in our area. They have a strong desire to see the whole Chisago Lakes Area become a better place to live or work, and have made a positive impact on our community by giving back with resources and volunteerism. This is the 22nd anniversary for the Celebration of the Lakes, and Wally Carlson & Sons has been a sponsor of the event every year. They are a long-standing member of the Chisago Lakes Chamber and provide support for Chamber events, as well as Karl Oskar Days, Center City Days and Ki Chi Saga Days. They also support church and school activities, the Boy Scouts, Family Pathways, the hospice program, events and activities sponsored by the Lions Club and the Rotary Club - the list goes on and on. Wally and Irene Carlson, their family and employees will be formally recognized by the Chamber at the Balloon Pilot’s reception Friday evening, January 25 and some of the family will be out on North Center Lake during the weekend events. They will also represent the Chamber at community events throughout 2013, including the Karl Oskar and Ki Chi Saga parades. Please be sure to congratulate them for all they have contributed to the Chisago Lakes Area.