Carleton Likness

Carleton Likness went to be with his Lord & Savior early on Sunday morning, February 16, at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, MN. Carl has spent seven weeks at St. Catherine's Living Center, prior to coming home five days before his passing. The Funeral Service will be Thursday, 10:30 am, at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, with Rev. Jim Gustafson officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 5 PM to 8 PM with a 7 PM Prayer Service at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton and one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at a later date at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Military Honors is to be conducted by Wahpeton Military Honors. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Carleton was born March 20, 1925 in his rural home at Veblen, SD, to Ella and Christopher Likness. He attended grade school and graduated from Veblen High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served in Saipan in the South Pacific for 14 months. He became engaged to Sylvia Hektner in 1946 when he returned from the service. They were married at Mooreton Lutheran Church, December 25, 1946. Carleton graduated from NDSSS in 1947 with an Associate Degree in Printing and Journalism. Carl and Sylvia moved to Milnor that year and purchased the Sargent County Teller. He remained in the newspaper business for 27 years. In addition to working with the newspaper, Carl was appointed as a rural mail carrier in 1953 at the Milnor Post Office. In 1974 he was transferred to Litchville Postal Office, but returned in 1980 to take over DeLamere and McLeod routes for one more year before he retired. After retirement he took a position with the LeeWay Co. at Forman, ND as manager. He later accepted a position as Development Officer at Oak Grove High School in Fargo. Carl was active in his church and community throughout the 41 years that he lived in Milnor. He was a volunteer fireman for 25 years and a lifetime member of ND Fireman's Association. Carl was named general chairman of the Milnor Centennial Celebration. He also served for many years on the Lutheran Social Services Board. . In 1974 Carleton was elected Dept. Commander for the State of ND American Legion. He was later elected alternate National Executive Committeeman from 1978-80. He was also a member of the National Legislative Committee. While he was attending a meeting in Washington DC, the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists on 9/11. Recently Carl and his son Cory were part of an Honor Flight to Washington to see the WWII Monument honoring WWII veterans.
Along with Carleton's extensive traveling for the American Legion, the couple's travels included all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Iceland, China and their last vacation seven years ago to Greece. The couple moved to Wahpeton where Carl became active in the community with Kiwanis, Golden Club and Bethel Bible Study. Carl was a very active member of Bethel Lutheran Church. In 1988 he joined the Alumni/Foundation staff at North Dakota State College of Science until he retired for good in 2005. He also volunteered for over 10 years at Richland/Wilkin food pantry; later being honored as one of the ten top volunteers in the state of Minnesota. Carl and Sylvia moved to assisted living at Sienna Court in 2012. Carleton was a man of God, loving husband and father, a wonderful grandfather to his grandchildren.
Carl is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sylvia, Wahpeton; his sons, Cory (Dorothy) Likness, Brooklyn Park, MN; and Greg (Evie) Likness; his daughter, Cindy (Greg) Nelson, Detroit Lakes, MN; four grandchildren: Serrianna Likness, Christopher Likness, Chelsey (Ryan) Hauck, Jaden Cuypers; four great grandchildren: Brea, Ayden, Chase, Gemma Hauck; his sisters-in-law: Lillian Likness, Leona Hektner, Ann Hektner, Jeannette Radig, Inez Eckre and brother-in-law, Al Eckre.

Carl was preceded in death by both parents, sisters Jeannette (Clifford) Harn, Lorna (Curtis) Birdsall, brother Clinton Likness, brothers-in-law, Vernon Hektner, Don Hektner and Marcus Radig.